Wondering why hardware sales saw a nice bump in Japan this last week? Media-create has come forward with some explanations.

- a consumption tax was scheduled to increase from 5% to 8% starting April 1st
- people were making purchases before the tax increase was put in place
- most Japanese schools have a Spring vacation that lasts from late March to early April
- a new school year begins in April, so demand for a handsel (a gift made as a token of good wishes or luck especially at the beginning of a new year) increases during this period
- the 25th of each month usually serves as payday at most Japanese companies