Household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets market in Japan

Earlier Report Observations

The Japanese market for household and sanitary paper in wide rolls and sheets saw its volume grow from 2018 to 2020, supported by ongoing urbanization and more nuclear families raising demand for disposable hygiene products. An aging society increased needs for higher-quality tissue, while the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 sharply boosted hygiene awareness, shifting consumption toward home use and sustaining overall market demand.

After a normalization of demand in 2021, market volume expanded again in 2022, partly driven by stricter government environmental policies that encouraged uptake of eco-friendly products. During the same period, rising raw material and logistics costs led manufacturers to increase retail prices by 10–15%, which contributed to the market's value growth despite volume fluctuations.

In 2023, market volume experienced a slight contraction, yet the total market value continued to rise, reflecting a consumer shift toward more premium, value-added paper products.

Production household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets in Japan

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Japan held the third position globally in the production of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets.

Top producers of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets, 2018-2021

World map of production of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets, 2018-2021

Following two years of growth, Japan's production of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets decreased. In 2021, Japan produced 1 797 K t of this product, marking a 2.1% decline from the previous year. The highest production level was in 2020 at 1 836 K t, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 1.7% rise.

Annual dynamics of production in Japan in kind, 2018-2021, K t

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In 2021, the output value of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets in Japan reached 4 057 M $ US, a 12.4% increase compared to the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 3 610 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 11.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Japan in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Exports household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets from Japan

Exports in kind, t

In 2021, Japan exported 11 103 t of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets, showing a significant decline of 10.3% from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports grew by 7.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.5%. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 9 674 t, while the highest was in 2020 at 12 374 t, which also experienced the largest increase of 27.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Japan in kind, 2018-2021, t

Between 2018 and 2021, China and Vietnam were the leading destinations for Japan's exports in kind, together accounting for 84.7% of total flows, with the remaining share distributed among other countries.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Japan in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

Japan's foreign supplies of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, exports in value terms reached 25 063 K $ US, up 3.0% from the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, exports grew by 7.2%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 2.4%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 21 720 K $ US, which saw the largest decline of 7.1%, while the largest increase of 12.0% occurred in 2020.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Japan in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Throughout 2018-2021, China, Vietnam, and Canada formed the key group of partners for Japan's exports in value terms of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets. China accounted for 33.8% of exports, Vietnam for 19.8%, and Canada for 13.6%, together representing 67.2% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Japan in value, 2018-2021

Imports household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets to Japan

Imports in kind, t

In 2021, Japan's imports of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets stood at 27 821 t, reflecting a modest gain of 8.1% compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports increased by 35.4%, with a CAGR of 10.6%. The largest decline was in 2020 at 6.8%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 34.4% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Japan in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, China and Indonesia played the leading roles in Japan's imports in kind, together taking 85.0% of total flows, with the rest distributed among other destinations.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Japan in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2021, Japan's imports of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets from abroad totalled 47 776 K $ US, amounting to a rise of 9.1% compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports increased by 18.9%, with a CAGR of 5.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 49 712 K $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 23.7%, while the largest decline of 11.9% occurred in 2020.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Japan in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, China and Indonesia were the dominant suppliers of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets to Japan, together accounting for 82.3% of total imports in value terms, with other partners forming a less significant background.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Japan in value, 2018-2021