Broken Audio/Music Equipment: Approx. 67% Responded They "Didn't Know" About Repair/Parts Recycling Systems. Approx. 73% Feel Disposal Methods Would Change Upon Learning About Them

Survey on "Sustainable Consumption" Awareness Among Owners of Audio and Music Equipment

Do you have speakers or amplifiers gathering dust in the back of your closet or wardrobe?

Many people leave equipment unused, thinking, "I don't use it anymore, but it's a waste to throw it away." This feeling can be even stronger with expensive equipment.

Therefore, in collaboration with OTORAKU, a specialty buyer of audio, DJ, PA, and electronic musical instruments, we conducted a survey on "Audio/Music Equipment and Sustainable Consumption/Reuse Awareness" targeting 200 men and women nationwide who responded in a preliminary survey that they "own or have owned audio equipment/music equipment."

*When quoting the content of this press release, please adhere to the following:

- State that the source is "A survey by NEXER Group Inc. and OTORAKU."

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Survey Overview: "Survey on Audio/Music Equipment and Sustainable Consumption/Reuse Awareness"

Survey Method: Internet-based questionnaire

Survey Period: June 8, 2026 - June 15, 2026

Target Respondents: Men and women nationwide who responded in a preliminary survey that they "own or have owned audio equipment/music equipment."

Valid Responses: 200 samples

Questions:

Question 1: When purchasing audio/music equipment, have you ever considered whether it is "long-lasting" or "repairable/maintainable"?

Question 2: Please explain why.

Question 3: What are your thoughts on the action of "selling or reusing" unused audio/music equipment instead of "throwing it away"?

Question 4: To what extent do you agree with the idea of "repairing/maintaining audio/music equipment to use it for a long time"?

Question 5: Please explain why.

Question 6: Did you know that "there are systems in place to reuse broken audio/music equipment through parts recycling, repair, and resale"?

Question 7: If you were to learn about such "repair, resale, and parts recycling" systems, do you think your method of disposing of unused equipment would change?

Question 8: Please explain why.

*In principle, figures are rounded to the second decimal place, so the total may not be 100%.

51.0% Responded They "Have" Considered "Long-Lasting/Repairable" When Purchasing

First, we asked if respondents had considered whether audio/music equipment was "long-lasting" or "repairable/maintainable" when purchasing it.

The results showed that 22.0% answered "Always consider" and 29.0% answered "Sometimes consider," totaling 51.0% who have considered this at the time of purchase. On the other hand, 36.0% answered "Rarely consider" and 13.0% answered "Never consider."

Here are some of the reasons given by those who answered they had considered it:

Reasons for Considering at Purchase:

- Because I love music and want to use it for a long time. (30s, Female)

- Because it's expensive. (30s, Female)

- I considered it when it broke down. (40s, Male)

- I bought a used amplifier at Hard Off. It was quite expensive, so I want it to last. (40s, Male)

- I want to make it a lifelong item if possible. (40s, Female)

The reasons highlighted included economic perspectives like "because it's expensive" and sentiments of attachment such as "because I love it and want to use it for a long time." Some people also became more conscious of long-term use after experiencing a breakdown.

82.0% Are Positive About "Selling or Reusing" Unused Equipment

Next, we asked for opinions on the action of "selling or reusing" unused audio/music equipment instead of "throwing it away."

The results were: 19.5% "Think it's a very good thing and actively practice it," 41.5% "Think it's a good thing, but it's troublesome so I can't practice it often," and 21.0% "Think it's a good thing, but I don't know where to take it."

Combining these, we found that 82.0% have a positive view towards reuse.

On the other hand, only 18.0% expressed "Not very interested."

83.0% Agree with the Idea of "Repairing/Maintaining to Use for a Long Time"

Next, we asked how much respondents agreed with the idea of "repairing/maintaining audio/music equipment to use it for a long time."

The results were: 38.0% "Strongly agree" and 45.0% "Somewhat agree," totaling 83.0% who expressed agreement. "Somewhat disagree" was 14.5%, and "Strongly disagree" was 2.5%.

This shows that the idea of using equipment for a long time through repair and maintenance is accepted by many people.

Here are some of the reasons given by those who agreed:

Reasons for Agreeing:

- Because I thought it was a good idea to reduce waste. (20s, Male)

- I want to use my favorite items for a long time. (20s, Male)

- If it can be fixed and used, I think it's good because I have an attachment to it. (30s, Female)

- I want good things to be used for a long time, and I find the rarity that is not available now to be wonderful. (30s, Female)

- If it's a good item, I want to repair it properly and use it. (40s, Male)

- If it can be fixed with a part replacement, it's a waste not to. (50s, Male)

Reasons for agreement included the environmental perspective of "wanting to reduce waste," as well as many voices expressing a desire to "use beloved items for a long time."

Additionally, some audio and music equipment are rare items that are difficult to obtain now.

Therefore, some people want to cherish them as much as possible if they can continue to be used through repair or parts replacement.

67.0% Did Not Know About the "System for Recycling/Repairing and Reselling" Broken Equipment

Next, we asked whether respondents knew that "there are systems in place to reuse broken audio/music equipment through parts recycling, repair, and resale."

The results were: 33.0% "Knew" and 67.0% "Did not know."

This means that approximately two out of three people did not know about the systems for reusing broken equipment.

Up to this point in the survey, over 80% of people had a positive view of reuse and repair.

However, the systems that support this are apparently not yet widely known.

Even if people feel "I want to make use of unused equipment" or "It's a waste to throw away broken items," it becomes difficult to take action if they don't know where to take them. This gap in awareness is thought to be the cause of the gap between awareness and action.

72.5% Responded That Their "Disposal Methods Would Change" Upon Learning About the Systems

Finally, we asked if respondents thought their method of disposing of unused equipment would change if they learned about the "repair, resale, and parts recycling" systems.

The results were: 29.0% "Think it would change" and 43.5% "Might change," totaling 72.5% who responded that their disposal methods would change. "Probably wouldn't change" was 18.5%, and "Wouldn't change at all" was 9.0%.

This shows that over 70% of people have the potential to reconsider their actions simply by learning about the systems.

Here are some of the reasons given by those who thought their disposal methods would change:

Reasons Why Disposal Methods Would Change:

- Because it makes it easier to take action. (20s, Male)

- Because it serves as an opportunity to reconsider. (20s, Female)

- It's a waste to throw them away. (20s, Male)

- Currently, I take it for granted that broken items are thrown away, but this increases the options. (30s, Female)

- I think few people know that broken items are okay, so if there's more awareness, many dormant instruments could come back into the world. (30s, Female)

- Some people want to help others, and if it's clear that items are properly repaired through reuse, it would also benefit those who want to buy at a lower price. (40s, Male)

Many positive comments were received, such as "it increases the options" and "it serves as an opportunity to reconsider."

Learning about the systems could be the catalyst for unused equipment to be used again.

Summary

In this survey, while 82.0% of audio/music equipment owners were positive about "selling or reusing," only 19.5% were actively practicing it. This indicates that despite high awareness of reuse, it does not always translate into actual action.

A possible reason for this is that the systems for reusing broken equipment through parts recycling, repair, and resale are not yet widely known. In fact, 67.0% responded that they "did not know" about these systems.

Furthermore, 72.5% stated that their "disposal methods would change" if they learned about these systems.

This suggests that the barrier to action is not a lack of interest, but rather a lack of information and accessible channels.

Even a single unit lying dormant in a closet might play music again in someone else's hands if it can be connected to the appropriate buying or reuse system.

<For Use in Articles, etc.>

- State that the source is "A survey by NEXER Group Inc. and OTORAKU."

- Include a link to OTORAKU (https://otoraku.net/)

[About OTORAKU]

Operating Company: ReGrowth LLC

Location: 1-6-25 Toyo, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture, 812-0042, Japan -105

Representative: Kazuhiro Chō

TEL: 0120-429-269

[About NEXER Group Inc.]

Headquarters: Rise Arena Bldg. 11F, 4-5-2 Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo, 170-0013, Japan

Representative Director: Yuya Miyata

URL: https://www.nexer.co.jp

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