A recent statement by Noboru Ogawa, the CEO of Nihon Yamamura Glass, has highlighted concerns over falling glass shipments in Japan. In the face of declining demand, the company has taken the decision to further restructure the glass container business and will be closely watching market trends in North America and Europe, as it endeavours to reinstate glass containers in Japan. Most beer bottles in Japan are returnable, but Mr Ogawa says that new opportunities may lie in non-returnable bottles and the development of non-alcoholic beverage bottles, aseptic filling bottles and ultra-light bottles. Consolidated net sales for the company, which commands a 40% share of glass bottle production in Japan, declined 2.3% - due to reduced sales in the glass container business - whilst the plastic container business has returned to profitability. (whole item)
