Sellers of used personal computers in Japan are enjoying brisk trade, partly because consumers are now required by law to spend several thousand yen on sending PCs they no longer need back to manufacturers.

The Japan Times reprots that the vigorous market may also be tied to the onset of spring, when students start their academic year and workers start new jobs. The market for used PCs has grown rapidly in the past few years, with sales expected to hit 900,000 units in fiscal 2003. This would mark an 11 per cent rise from fiscal 2002, according to Media Research Institute. The number is likely to account for about 7 per cent of total PC sales.

The Law for the Promotion of Utilization of Recycle Resources took effect in October, compelling consumers to ship to manufacturers any PCs they do not want at a cost of several thousand yen. As a result, more and more people are now selling their used machines instead of trashing them, according to an institute official