What kind of smartwatch manufacturers exist in Japan? / Spring Q&A - Answering your watch questions

Q: What kind of smartwatch manufacturers are there in Japan?

Smartwatches are now sweeping the low-price market. The most prominent are the Apple Watch and overseas brands using Android (Wear OS), but Japanese manufacturers have also started to make interesting smartwatches.

A: Sony, Citizen, and Casio have entered the market.

　A unique example is Sony's wena. Originally, it was a bracelet with built-in smartwatch functionality. The latest model has all the functionality in just the buckle, making it extremely user-friendly. For those who want to turn a regular watch into a smartwatch, wena is the only option. What's more, the latest model is so thin that it can be used just like a regular bag. Sony has now collaborated with Seiko and Citizen.

　Casio is also actively developing smartwatches. Up until now, they have been selling the PRO TREK Smart, a smartwatch that focuses on activity tracking with GPS and heart rate monitoring, but this year they have also announced the G-SQUAD PRO, a G-SHOCK equipped with Wear OS.

　One surprising manufacturer is Citizen. They have made a full-scale entry into this field by investing in VELDT, a smartwatch venture. A major feature of their smartwatch is the inclusion of a function called Riiiver, which allows users to create their own apps rather than using existing apps. While it is not yet user-friendly, it is an interesting feature that allows users to create their own unique smartwatch.

　This Japanese manufacturer is trying to create a unique smartwatch that is compact, energy-efficient, and multifunctional. Its power-saving technology in particular may greatly expand the possibilities of smartwatches in the future.