TOKYO - The market for sleep-related products is rapidly expanding in Japan, with innovations ranging from AI-powered pillow selection to a cat-shaped robot that promotes deep breathing.
The “Lifestyle Week Summer” trade fair opened on July 2nd at Tokyo Big Sight, featuring a dedicated “Sleep Goods Fair” focused on quality sleep. Approximately 300 items are on display, including bedding made from paper threads and alarm clocks that use vibrations and light to help users wake naturally.
Takahiromu Kikuchi, Director of Lifestyle Week, explained: "Visitors had been requesting a zone dedicated to sleep-themed items, so we created one."
Despite having some of the shortest average sleep times globally, many in Japan are seeking better sleep quality, fueling steady growth in the sleep-related goods market.
Among the highlighted trends is “summer wellness,” which Rakuten predicts will be a seasonal hit. One standout product is the “Utataneco” cat-shaped robot. It expands and contracts in a steady rhythm, encouraging diaphragmatic breathing simply by sleeping beside it. It also features a warming function that mimics a real cat’s body temperature—ideal for those who suffer from overuse of air conditioning during the summer.
Mitsuteru Nakahira from the PR division of Amaze Plus noted: "Hugging something warm is key to relaxation. Post-pandemic, health awareness has grown, and wellness has become an even hotter topic."
As record heat waves drive demand for wellness products, companies are also turning to cutting-edge solutions under the banner of “sleep tech”—the fusion of technology and sleep.
One such innovation uses AI to recommend ideal pillows. By submitting two standing posture photos along with basic details like height and weight, the system analyzes user data against a database of tens of thousands and recommends one of ten pillow types. The process, which traditionally required lengthy in-person customization, is now completed via smartphone, with delivery in as little as three days.
When anchor Uenaka tried the AI-recommended “super-low” pillow, the lowest of all types, he remarked: "I didn’t realize this low was actually good for me. I’ve been using something a bit higher, but this one is far more comfortable."
Ryusei Haneda, Chief of Strategic Planning at Yayoi Delight, commented: "AI not only saves time but increases accuracy—it's all benefits. The need for this kind of technology will only grow."
With trends like “summer wellness” and “sleep tech” continuing to evolve, Kikuchi of Lifestyle Week said he hopes the Sleep Goods Fair will expand in the coming years, adding: "As wellness becomes more widespread, we expect this exhibition to grow and attract even more innovative sleep products."
Source: FNN
