Japan offers discounts on green products

The Japanese government has decided to subsidise consumers purchasing eco-friendly home electronics and cars as part of an additional economic stimulus package to spur domestic demand, officials said on Wednesday.

The incentive programmes are aimed at spurring domestic demand and helping the high-tech and auto industries suffering from sharp falls in sales amid the deepening global recession, they said.

Consumers will be able to receive a refund equivalent to 5 per cent of their purchases of home electronics in the form of "eco-points" from public funds if the products meet certain energy-saving conditions, the officials said.

The points cannot be cashed and can only be used to purchase other products. The products subject to the scheme include refrigerators, air conditioners and televisions, they said.

As for TVs, consumers who purchase ones capable of receiving digital broadcasting will receive an additional incentive and can earn eco-points equivalent to a maximum of 10 per cent of the purchase price.

The government is keen to promote purchases of digital-enabled TVs as broadcasting in Japan will be completely digitalised in July 2011, Kyodo news agency reported.