Japan TV vendors saw their proportion of 50-inch and above size Ultra HD TV sales drop throughout mid-2014 into the third quarter, according to Digitimes Research.

Sharp in particular reported that its overall sales proportion of 55- and 58-inch Ultra HD TVs in April 2014 dropped from 64.8% to 46.1% in July.

Other vendors who saw their proportion drop were China-based vendors, as local vendors pushed low-priced, mid-range units sized between 39- to 50-inch in order to expand their market shares.

Digitimes Research added that in July 2014, 22% of TV sales in Japan were for Ultra HD TVs, largely driven by sporting events and increased 4K viewing options.

Mitsubishi Electric meanwhile recently released Ultra HD TVs sized 58- and 65-inch that come equipped with the company's home energy management system (HEMS), and the Japan government is already initiating plans for 8K viewing services to occur as of 2018, noted Digitimes Research.