The bigger reason is the japanese market demands efficiency. Buyers compare running costs. Thus Japan acting as a breeding ground for cheaper, replaceable, min

The bigger reason is the japanese market demands efficiency. Buyers compare running costs. Thus Japan acting as a breeding ground for cheaper, replaceable, mini splits. The American manufacturers sold into the HVAC specialist market which was efficiency insensitive but cost sensitive. Thus a bi-partite market. The only reason mini splits have not bankrupted the American manufacturers yet is many Americans still rely on expensive HVAC specialist to do installs. Thus mini splits extreme cost advantage is buried by expensive installs.