Why Anechoic Chambers from Overseas Do Not Sell at All in Japan?

MFAC

In 2009, Sonora Technology ran a booth at the Automotive Testing Expo in Stuttgart, Germany, in order to see the possibility to sell anechoic chambers overseas.

As many anechoic chamber manufacturers were also exhibited at the exhibition, we had discussions with each of the manufacturers and conducted market research. However, as a result, we gave up selling our products overseas at that time.

Because the technical specifications and performance required for anechoic chambers overseas, especially in Europe, were much less than those in Japan. Then Sonora’s anechoic chambers had excessive specifications compared to theirs.

Later on, due to the revision of ISO3745 in 2012 and the establishment of measurement-related ISO new standards in Europe, anechoic-chamber manufacturers were weeded out. While the specifications of anechoic chambers were improved.

This led Sonora to make a decision to start overseas sales again in 2024. In other words, the technical specifications required for anechoic chambers in Japan are quite high up to now, and it can be said that Japan has been leading this industry.

The evidence is clear. As of 2024, almost no anechoic chambers from overseas have been sold in the Japanese market. Of course, there are a few cases we have confirmed, however, those anechoic chambers are violating the Japanese Building Standards Act though.

Reasons why anechoic-chamber manufacturers from overseas are not selling their products well in the Japanese market

• 1. Overseas manufacturers cannot meet the high-level technical specifications required by Japan.
• 2. Importing anechoic chambers from overseas is quite expensive.
• 3. Overseas manufacturers cannot comply with the Japanese Building Standards Act.

These are the three main reasons for

1. First of all, Japanese users require very strict delivery conditions. Manufacturers who fail to meet these conditions would be penalized. Fudging or lying cannot be tolerated. Unlike in Europe and the United States, design drawings should be submitted when a quotation is issued. Technical specifications, performance guarantees, and various documentary evidence should also be submitted. Furthermore, each user has their own internal rules that manufacturers have to follow.

Regarding the performance guarantees, the following three values are required.

• A. Background noise level inside the anechoic chamber, when ventilation and air conditioning systems are operating
• B. Sound insulation performance value of the anechoic chamber
• C. Range satisfying the inverse square law

These should be demonstrated by measurements in the presence of the user.

Over the past 20 years, anechoic-chamber manufacturers have been weeded out in Japan. Currently only a few companies can meet these requirements. It would be difficult for overseas manufacturers to compete with us.

→ As mentioned in another article (link: Issues on anechoic chambers manufactured by other manufacturers -1), anechoic-chamber manufacturers that take that kind of cheating action would be pursued for liability issues and would not be able to do business here in Japan again.

Secondly, exporting anechoic chambers from overseas to Japan results in the price increasing due to the extra costs, making it difficult to find a price advantage over local Japanese manufacturers.

Under the Japanese Building Standard Law, there are two major issues as following, that overseas manufacturers find difficult to comply with:

• A: Non-combustibility certificate for materials (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism)
• B: Construction license

Regarding A, materials are required, for 20 minutes after heating starts, to have non-combustibility performance not to burn, deform, melt, or cause any other damage that is harmful to fire safety, and not to emit harmful smoke or gas to evacuation. Unlike the UL standard, this standard complies with the technical standards set by the Japanese government and certified by the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. So, it is most unlikely that materials made overseas would be able to pass this test.

Regarding B, only companies that have met strict requirements and obtained  a construction license are allowed to construct anechoic chambers.

Violation of this requirement may result in not only criminal penalties such as imprisonment or fines, but also administrative penalties such as suspension of business or revocation of the construction license.

These are the reasons why products manufactured by overseas companies do not sell in Japan.

Isn’t it obvious? You may think so.

But when we sell our products overseas, we also have to meet the rules set by each country and the requirements of the users, so it is fair.

We have a market for anechoic chambers in Japan. Overseas manufacturers are not selling well here because they are not capable of meeting the standards. Japan may be the toughest country in the world in terms of satisfying standards.
Why don’t you try Sonora’s products, which have survived in this tough country?

There are excellent anechoic-chamber manufacturers in the world, while not-so-good ones as well. So, we’d like to compete with excellent nominees.

Excellent proven anechoic-chamber manufacturers

• Company F in Krumbach, GERMANY
• Company I in Hampshire, UK
• Company E in Massachusetts, USA

AND

• Sonora Technology Co., Ltd. in Tokyo, JAPAN