Japan toaster startup's smartphone foray craters stock price

[TOKYO] A foray into smartphones by Japan's Balmuda, best known for its high-end toasters, has cratered its stock price with the firm announcing this week it has halted sales of its poorly received handset.

Shares in Balmuda, which listed on Tokyo's start-up index in December 2020, fell as much as 10 per cent in Tuesday (Jan 11) trading, a day after the firm said it has paused sales due to an unidentified issue regarding compliance with Japan's technical standards.

Balmuda's founder and CEO Gen Terao carved out a niche selling premium priced household electronics including fans and coffee machines with a design focus inspired by Apple's Steve Jobs.

However, his entry into the smartphone market, which is dominated by Cupertino, California-based Apple to the exclusion of Japanese manufacturers, has been met with derision by gadget reviewers and on social media.

Retailing for 104,800 yen (S$1,232), the "Balmuda Phone", which is manufactured by Kyocera, is more expensive than the iPhone 13 mini, has a plastic case and a processor usually found in budget smartphones.

Balmuda's shares jumped when the smartphone plans were unveiled in May, in what was intended to begin a new growth phase for the company. The shares have since lost half their value.

"Since the announcement Balmuda has conspicuously lost its way. There is a growing sense of disappointment," said Katsuyoshi Sakase, an analyst at Aizawa Securities.

A Balmuda spokesperson said the company is paying attention to reaction to the phone and will continue to work to achieve an understanding of its business.

REUTERS