The majority of these are vinyl umbrellas priced at between 300 to 500 yen. Of these, only the higher end products are made domestically. Previously, Taiwan was in sole possession of first place, followed by Korea, but at present the overwhelming majority of imported umbrellas come from China. Some Taiwanese manufacturers have made advances into the Fuchien and Kuangtung Provinces of China. Imported umbrellas lowered the price to one third of the cost what they were before.
Domestic manufacturers are now less competitive and they have no choice but to rely on imports.
The main reasons are because of the appreciation of the yen and wage increases. In addition, consumers tend view umbrellas as devices used to only protect themselves from the rain. Therefore, the feel that they need not buy an expensive one because umbrellas are often lost it. As a result, they buy practical reasonably priced umbrellas, which will not be a great loss if they lose it. Moreover, the lack of shops able to repair a broken high quality umbrella is also a factor.