New dealers had to seek out end users one by one to develop a market. Makers' output has dropped precipitously, however, forcing them to rely on imports to meet demand, and so some makers too now handle imports. Japanese makers have expanded hardly at all overseas, and imports are largely handled by discount stores and DIY stores. Imports of charcoal into Japan are subject to no import duty. Carbon monoxide poisoning can occur as a result of incomplete combustion, etc., and so makers and importers all take out product liability insurance.
Some Japanese companies use sawdust compacted by machine in Indonesia to make bincho charcoal.
This type of charcoal has already been awarded the eco-mark in Japan, and is used as good quality charcoal at exclusive restaurants, and yakiniku and yakitori eateries. Because of the very high cost of the machinery required to compact the sawdust, it is not easy for everyone to enter this field of business. Because of the rise in use of charcoal for non-fuel uses as well as the use of bincho charcoal for commercial use and charcoal for leisure use, domestic charcoal demand is expected to continue to rise. Domestic production is likely to fall for the reasons outlined above, viz. Although dependent on factors such as domestic business conditions and the exchange rate, imports look as if they will steadily increase due to growth in demand resulting from the increasing popularity of outdoor leisure pursuits and the growth of the food service industry.