LG Electronics said Tuesday it has kicked off sales of 8K organic light-emitting diode TVs in Japan, a market that is receptive to OLED TVs, ahead of the upcoming Tokyo Olympics.

The South Korean TV maker has displayed the LG Signature OLED 8K model at flagship retailers across Japan.

Due to the preference for OLED TVs in Japan, OLED TVs accounted for 20 percent of the country’s TV sales this year, far larger than OLED TVs’ global market share at 6 percent. 

Amid the growing interest in OLED TVs in Japan, LG plans to solidify its leadership in the TV market with 8K OLED technology by introducing it to visitors to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, according to the company.

The LG Signature OLED 8K model has a contrast modulation level of around 90 percent, representing a picture quality approved by international standards, a company official said.

“Japan has been a tough market for foreign TV makers, but LG has maintained its position with the OLED technology,” said Lee Young-chae, vice president at LG Electronics Japan. “LG’s OLED and 8K technologies, for sure, will win the hearts of Japanese consumers.”

By Song Su-hyun (song@heraldcorp.com)