TOKYO –
Japanese monthly magazine Nikkei Trendy has unveiled its ranking of the top 30 products and services expected to become hits in 2027, with “anti-AI” emerging as the central theme as consumers increasingly seek ways to distinguish genuine human activity from artificial intelligence-generated content.
Taking the top spot in the magazine’s 2027 predictions is a “human certificate,” a digital verification system designed to prove that an individual is a real person and prevent impersonation online. The technology is expected to attract growing attention as advances in AI make it increasingly difficult to determine whether online content and interactions involve actual people or AI-generated identities.
The rankings also highlight products that combine everyday activities with entertainment, including claw machines stocked with fresh produce such as vegetables. By turning grocery shopping into a game, the machines offer consumers a new way to enjoy buying food.
Another predicted hit is edible cactus, which is attracting interest for its nutritional value and versatility in cooking. The plant can be incorporated into a wide variety of dishes, making it a potential new ingredient for health-conscious consumers.
Alongside its predictions for 2027, Nikkei Trendy also announced its ranking of the top 30 hit products of 2026, reflecting a year in which consumers increasingly sought affordable pleasures despite rising prices.
Among the products featured were decorative marker charms that can be attached to plastic beverage bottles and other personal belongings, along with Bonbon Drop stickers, known for their glossy, raised appearance.
The popularity of these relatively inexpensive accessories illustrates how consumers are finding small sources of enjoyment even as inflation weighs on household spending and discourages larger purchases.
Together, the two rankings suggest a shift in Japanese consumer preferences toward products that offer authenticity, entertainment, and everyday satisfaction, with concerns about AI shaping emerging trends while affordable personal indulgences continue to drive spending.
Source: テレ東BIZ