Latest industry statistics show that Japanese domestic forklift sales from January to October 2005 increased 8.2 per cent compared to the previous year.

The Japan Industrial Vehicles Association (JIVA) attributed the growth to strong recovery in Japan's economy, in particular "active investment in plant and equipment for the private sector".

Electric trucks now dominate 48 per cent of the domestic market, with more consumers replacing internal combustion forklifts with electric forklifts.

Ten years ago, electric forklifts constituted around 35 per cent of the Japanese forklift market, Ken'ichiro Takase, JIVA senior manager, said.

Exports of forklifts have seen double-digit growth this year although Takase said the number of exports according to destination would not be disclosed until March 2006.

"As you know, every market in the world has been in good condition and this is why export has increased," he said.