We knew Japan was warming up to Blu-ray, but apparently those tepid desires have morphed into infernos of passion.

According to new statistics loosed by the Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association (JEITA), Blu-ray Disc recorder / player shipments hit a level of 138,000, or around 107 times more than the shipments posted a year ago.

Moreover, those shipments accounted for 31% of "overall shipments of DVD equipment on a volume basis."

Unsurprisingly, BD equipment -- coupled with flat-panel TVs -- were the two biggest drivers of consumer electronics shipments in Japan this year, with visual equipment shipments rising 8.2% year-over-year.

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