Increased demand from home users will help sales of personal computers in Japan will rise 26% to 9.98 million and grow 11.5% to 11.13 million units next year, according to a report released by IDC Japan Ltd. Demand from home users is moving into a new period of growth and should continue to be strong as more people begin using the internet and email, IDC said.
Sales in 1998 were flat at 7.92 million machines because demand from corporate users was weak although private consumers bought 30% more PCs during the year, the report said. It predicts corporate purchases will increase by 10.9% in 1999 and 12% in 2000, reflecting the slow pace of Japan’s economic recovery.
