Encouraged by brisk appliance sales since the government launched the eco-point program on May 15, retailers are poised to enhance their sales campaigns to coincide with the inauguration of registrations and points exchanges.

Under the eco-point system, those who buy designated energy-saving appliances between May 15 and March 31 will be eligible for the points, with one eco-point worth roughly one yen.

Points given vary between 6,000 and 9,000 for air conditioners, depending on cooling power, 3,000 and 10,000 for refrigerators depending on capacity and 7,000 and 36,000 for televisions for terrestrial broadcasting depending on the size of screen.

Starting Wednesday, purchasers of these appliances may register eco- points by mailing applications along with documents such as receipts and copies of product warranties to the eco-point secretariat. These points may be exchanged for merchandize coupons, electronic money and other items of choice.

For instance, 13,500 eco-points may be exchanged for 12,000 yen stored in a Suica electronic money card issued by East Japan Railway Co. (JR East), while 5,000 points are exchangeable for 5,000 yen worth of department store coupons.

The eco-point system has helped expand sales of energy-saving appliances even amid the current recession. A survey by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry indicates retail sales of these appliances in the June 15-21 week increased 10 percent from a year earlier.

Application forms are available at retail stores and post offices. A brochure of goods exchangeable with eco-points can be seen at the website (http://eco-points.jp) opened by the government for the eco- point system. Copies of the brochures are also put at electric appliance retail stores and post offices.

The deadline for exchanging eco-points for goods is set at the end of March 2012.