２月の白物家電、１６．４％増　「巣ごもり」で５カ月プラス

　日本電機工業会が２２日発表した２月の白物家電（民生用電気機器）の国内出荷金額は、前年同月比１６．４％増の１９１６億円となった。前年同月を上回るのは５カ月連続。新型コロナウイルス感染拡大に伴う「巣ごもり消費」や清潔意識の高まりを背景に、家庭用エアコンや空気清浄機などの出荷が高水準を維持した。
　製品別の出荷金額は、家庭用エアコンが１２．５％増、冷蔵庫が１８．２％増、洗濯機が１８．２％増と、いずれも５カ月連続のプラスとなった。感染防止に有効とされる空気清浄機は、花粉症対策も重なって２倍となり、加湿器も６割増加した。（2021/03/22-16:30）

Shipments of so-called white goods, such as refrigerators and washing machines, in February increased 16.4 pct from a year before to 191.6 billion yen, up for the fifth consecutive month, the Japan Electrical Manufacturers' Association said.
   Shipments of air conditioners and air purifiers, among other home appliances, remained strong thanks to robust "nesting" demand and enhanced hygiene awareness amid the coronavirus pandemic.
   By product, shipments were up 12.5 pct for air conditioners, up 18.2 pct for refrigerators and up 18.2 pct for washing machines, all growing for five straight months, the association said in a report released on Monday.
   Air purifier shipments more than doubled, buoyed by not only efforts to reduce COVID-19 contraction risks but also those to cope with the hay fever season. Humidifier shipments jumped 62.3 pct.