Japanese customers think smartphones and Twitter are the hottest products

The survey of Japanese consumers revealed that smartphones and Twitter were the the hottest products in Japan in 2010 while travel and leisure were back on the menu.

Dentsu's annual "Hit Product Recognition Survey" revealed that flat-screen TVs equipped for digital broadcasting were ranked fourth, and energy-saving appliances ranked eighth.

The poll shows that tablet information devices, such as Apple's iPad, came in at 19th, the survey showed, but rose to No.10 in a separate question that predicted hit products and services next year.

3D movies, TVs and other 3D products placed 15th this year, and are expected to jump to No.6 next year, the survey showed.

Below are top 10 items in Dentsu's 2010 Hit Products survey, which polled 1,000 people over the Internet earlier this month:

1. Smartphones

2. Twitter

3. Munchable chili oil

4. Digital broadcasting-equipped widescreen flat-panel TVs

5. Ryoma Sakamoto (a popular historical figure on whom a hit Samurai drama series was based)

6. International flight services at Haneda Airport

7. Tokyo Sky Tree (new broadcasting tower to be completed in 2012)

8. Energy-saving appliances eligible for a rebate scheme

9. 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa

10. LED light bulbs