The rankings of products that made a hit in 1995 have been announced. For the past 10 years, a management consultant firm has been compiling this list, using sumo terminology to designate product ratings. A striking feature in 1995 is that the top slots have been monopolized by personal computers, Internet, cellular phones, and other products related to the information industry.
Rankings are awarded not only to individual products but also to social phenomena and people that have had a positive effect on the economy. They are determined on the basis of overall consideration of sales, influence on the market, and other factors. The yokozuna(top rank) this time were personal computers and Windows '95 on the East side, and Internet on the West. In addition to the rapid spread of personal computers into homes, the Internet, which enables easy communication with people throughout the world, also drew widespread attention. These factors combined to bring the number of personal computers shipped on the domestic market in 1995 to 5.5 million units. This trend was further propelled when the Japanese version of Windows '95 went on the market in November, selling like hotcakes. Another item in the computer area was personal computer classes for older people, which showed up as fifth West maegashira(ninth rank).
Ozeki(second rank) of the East went to cellular phones and personal handyphones, which are far less expensive than cellular phones, although they can not be used to make calls from moving vehicles or trains. Lowered telephone rates helped boost demand for these devices. The Western ozeki went to pitcher Hideo Nomo, the brilliant new star of American major league baseball. He was credited with high viewer ratings for major league television broadcasts and the economic effects of T-shirts and other "Nomo goods," which are in great demand. Sekiwake(third rank) went to urban-model recreational vehicles and the American mail-order house L.L. Bean, both of which rode the current popularity of outdoor equipment. Komusubi(fourth rank) included Svelte, a Christian Dior product that boasts of enabling the user to get slimmer by simply applying it, and the Avex series of techno-pops music recordings.
(The above article, edited by Japan Echo Inc., is based on domestic Japanese news sources. It is offered for reference purposes and does not necessarily represent the policy or views of the Japanese Government.)