Demystifying eco-point system

The government introduced an eco-point system Friday as one of the main pillars in its measures aimed at boosting the economy, but the system is said to be complicated and hard to understand. To learn more about the procedures involved, such as how to obtain and redeem the points, I bought a 32-inch liquid crystal TV capable of receiving terrestrial and digital broadcasts--one of the products covered by the system--at a mass electronics retail store in Akihabara, Tokyo.

The TV bore a sticker saying purchasers would receive 12,000 eco-points. As each point is worth 1 yen, the TV is, in effect, 12,000 yen cheaper than the stated price. Some customers reportedly cancelled previously reserved items and requested other items that fall under the government's point’s scheme Friday, a shop employee said. To receive the points, customers must retain their purchase receipt and the manufacturer's guarantee.

If an old TV is returned to the retailer, customers also must present a copy of their home electronics recycle coupon. However, as the eco-point system has not yet been formalized--meaning there presently is no way to redeem the points--many stores say the only advice they can offer to customers is to make sure they retain all the relevant paperwork. A 67-year-old man from Chiba who had waited until Friday

To buy a TV to receive terrestrial digital broadcasting services, said he hoped the points can be exchanged for gift vouchers so he can buy goods freely. Meanwhile, at a different store, a 57-year-old woman of Edogawa Ward, Tokyo, said: "I'm just here to check the discounted prices and the number of points each item is worth. I don't intend to buy anything until I know which items I can get with the points."