Newsprint market in Japan

Earlier Report Observations

The Japanese newsprint market contracted significantly from 2018, with production falling from 2.6 million tonnes to 1.7 million tonnes by 2023. This sustained decline was primarily driven by the accelerated shift from print to digital media, which reduced demand for physical newspapers and publications. Internet proliferation directly lowered consumption, while commercial printing also faced pressure as marketing moved online.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 exacerbated the downturn, causing a sharp drop in commercial printing activity and further depressing newsprint demand. Despite a minor recovery in some print segments like packaging and direct mail, these used different paper grades and did not offset the newsprint collapse. Amendments to copyright law in 2022 expanded permissible digital use of newspaper articles, reducing the need for physical copies, while growing environmental and paperless initiatives encouraged lower paper consumption across society.

Production newsprint in Japan

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Japan was one of the world's top producers of newsprint from 2018 to 2021, ranking second globally by production volume during this period.

Top producers of newsprint, 2018-2021

World map of production of newsprint, 2018-2021

Japan's newsprint production declined for the third year in a row. In 2021, the country produced 1 978 K t of newsprint, which was 4.0% lower than in 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, production fell by 23.7%, with an average annual decline of 8.6%.

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

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Japan's newsprint production value also dropped for the third consecutive year. In 2021, output was valued at 908 M $ US, marking a significant 16.3% decrease compared to 2020. From 2018 to 2021, production value declined by 41.4%, with an average annual rate of 16.3%.

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

Exports newsprint from Japan

Exports in kind, t

Newsprint exports from Japan showed notable fluctuations between 2018 and 2021. Exports peaked in 2018 and hit their lowest point in 2020, with a 7.8-fold difference between these years. In 2021, exports rebounded sharply to 3 369 t, representing a dramatic 584.8% increase from the previous year. The smallest export volume was recorded in 2020 at 492 t, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 78.1% drop.

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

From 2018 to 2021, China, the Philippines, and India were the main destinations for Japan's newsprint exports by volume. China accounted for 62.0% of exports, followed by the Philippines at 10.5% and India at 9.5%. Together, these three countries represented 82.0% of Japan's total newsprint export flows.

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 newsprint export values experienced irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market. The highest value was recorded in 2018, while the lowest was in 2020, with an 8.8-fold gap between these years. In 2021, export value surged to 1 547 K $ US, a steep 497.2% increase year-over-year. The minimum value was 259 K $ US in 2020, and the largest decline occurred in 2019 with an 81.0% drop.

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

In terms of value from 2018 to 2021, China, the Philippines, and India led Japan's newsprint export structure. China made up 55.6% of export value, the Philippines accounted for 12.7%, and India contributed 12.6%. Combined, these three destinations represented 80.9% of total export 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 newsprint to Japan

Imports in kind, t

Japan's newsprint imports by volume reached 1 829 t in 2021, a 21.2% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports fell by 59.7%, with an average annual decline of 26.1%. The lowest import volume was 1 586 t in 2019, which also saw the largest drop of 65.0%. In contrast, imports increased by 46.3% in 2020.

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

From 2018 to 2021, South Korea, Sweden, and Malaysia were the primary suppliers of newsprint to Japan by volume. South Korea provided 68.3% of imports, Sweden contributed 10.6%, and Malaysia accounted for 10.0%. Together, these three countries supplied 88.8% of Japan's total newsprint imports.

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 newsprint import value stood at 1 217 K $ US, showing a strong 21.4% year-over-year decline. Over the 2018-2021 period, import value decreased by 59.1%, with an average annual rate of 25.8%. The minimum value was 1 095 K $ US in 2019, which also experienced the largest drop of 63.2%. Imports rose by 41.4% in 2020.

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

Over the 2018-2021 period, South Korea, Sweden, and Canada were the main sources of Japan's newsprint imports by value. South Korea accounted for 68.1% of import value, Sweden for 11.8%, and Canada for 9.3%. Collectively, these three countries represented 89.2% of Japan's total newsprint import flows.

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

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