BY RACHEL CHAN

QUALITY, design and good value for money are some reasons why Singaporeans are flocking to Japanese lifestyle chains.

No surprise then that Muji, Daiso and Uniqlo are thriving here, judging by the swift speed at which they are expanding in the next few months.

Related link: » Live, shop, dress Nippon!

Never mind the downturn - Singapore customers have become loyal fans of these brands.

'I like Muji because its products are practical and affordable,' said pharmacist Caroline Wong, 47.

'Its products have clean lines and are just the right shape and size for me to put my things in.'

From carrying only 2,000 items when it reopened after a four-year hiatus at Seiyu Bugis department store (now BHGBugis) in 2003, Muji, now offers more than 4,000 items across three outlets in town. Its merchandise range from household items to consumer goods.

The chain will launch a flagship concept store in ION Orchard in mid-July.

Meanwhile, budget household- goods store Daiso - which opened its first Singapore outlet in 2002 - will open a fifth outlet at Rivervale Mall come August.

Newcomer Uniqlo, a fashion chain which launched its highly successful first store in Tampines 1 early last month, has plans to open seven more stores here within the next three years.

It will open a second store in ION Orchard in August.

Explaining the Japanese X-factor, Mr Vincent Ang, creative director of interior-design firm Black N White House, said: 'Japan has always been No. 1 in Asia when it comes to product design.

'A piece of Japanese furniture, for example, has lasting appeal as it is so simple. I always recognise a Japan-made product because of its quality and environmentally friendly design.'

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