Japan

The Japanese luxury goods market is being affected by a significant change in the character of local demand, particularly amongst younger consumers. Millennials and Gen Z consumers are increasingly choosing to devote their spending power to ...

The ongoing strong increase in inbound tourism, spurred by efforts on the part of the Japanese Government and local travel agencies, is providing a boost to the development of personal luxury. Chinese consumers continue to play a major role in demand...

Demand for super premium beauty and personal care products grew strongly at the end of the review period. The government focus on encouraging women to enter the paid workforce in order to address Japan’s severe labour shortage and stimulate the ...

Luxury portable consumer electronics sales in Japan are entirely comprised of wearables. Wearable electronics initially launched in the market in 2014 amidst great expectations, with luxury products first making an impact in 2015. However, after the ...

October 2019 saw the Japanese Government finally introduce a long-delayed rise in VAT, which increased the rate of consumption tax on alcoholic drinks from 8% to 10%, while the rate for food and non-alcoholic drinks remained the same. The tax ...

The ongoing rise in inbound tourism is having a positive impact on sales of luxury timepieces in Japan, which is expected to continue over the forecast period as the government works towards its target of raising inbound tourists numbers to 60 ...

The rise of digital devices has led to writing by hand almost entirely disappearing from consumers’ everyday lives in both the private and commercial spheres. Consequently, luxury writing instruments and stationery products have increasingly shifted ...

The long delayed rise in VAT boosted sales of luxury jewellery in 2019 as consumers rushed to purchase products before it was finally implemented in October. This demand was bolstered by the aggressive activity of department stores, which held ...

Luxury leather goods is a key target for traders of counterfeit products, and manufacturers face a growing threat from fake products. However, at the same time, efforts to control the trade in counterfeit goods are increasing. There were a record ...

Overall Japanese spectacles and sunglasses sales are dominated by non-luxury players, such as JINS, which are perceived to provide stylish eyewear at affordable prices. During the review period, some of the leading non-luxury eyewear players started ...

Travellers from nearby countries, including China, South Korea and Taiwan, continue to be the primary drivers of expansion in inbound tourism in Japan, as the government pursues its ambitious growth targets. However, government efforts and the ...

While overall apparel and footwear continued to see slow decline in both volume and current value terms in 2019 due partly to a contracting population, designer apparel and footwear (ready-to-wear) registered further growth. The rise in inbound ...

The shift in consumer focus from possessions to experiences has eroded demand for premium and luxury cars in Japan. Owning a luxury car was historically considered a status symbol in Japan, but consumers are increasingly looking to focus their ...

A shrinking consumer base and already deep penetration in key categories militate against volume growth in the Japanese consumer appliances market. Consequently, there is a growing pressure on manufacturers to generate value through the development ...

While small cooking appliances saw continued volume decline in 2019, Japanese consumers are proving willing to pay higher prices for added features and superior product design. This premiumisation trend in small cooking appliances began in rice ...

With the time pressures of already hectic urban lifestyles increased by the growing number of women entering the paid workforce as a result of government efforts to address the country’s labour shortage and stimulate the economy, there is a growing ...

Japan has experienced some very hot summers in recent years, with the rainy season prior to the summer also becoming more humid and hotter. This has triggered the purchase of small-sized air conditioners for each room and stimulated the replacement ...

The possession rate of home laundry appliances is approaching 100% of households in Japan, leaving little room for volume growth (though there is some room for expansion in the fact that the number of households is, in fact, rising despite a ...

Potential for growth in microwaves is constrained by the deep penetration already achieved by the category, with sales generally reliant on replacement demand. Microwaves are considered essential appliances by many Japanese consumers, especially as ...

As in other areas of consumer appliances, demand for time-saving convenience is a key influence on sales in vacuum cleaners. Consumers are leading ever busier lifestyles, particularly as more women, who were previously the main performers of ...