Japan 3D Printing Market
Japan’s additive manufacturing or “3D printing” equipment sales totaled $168.6 million in 2020, the most recent year for which sales data is available. Based on our general knowledge of Japan’s 3D printing sector trends, 3D printing equipment sales will continue to rise each year. Japan’s Yano Research Institute also projects that this market sector will experience consistent growth into the foreseeable future as the global economy recalibrates after COVID-19 economic challenges. Slowly but surely, 3D manufacturing is becoming more widely accepted as a source for materials in the Japanese market – this is especially true as Japanese companies begin to rely on 3D-printed replacement parts for older model household appliances and classic cars.
A unique reason for Japan’s interest in the 3D printing sector is Japan’s shrinking population. Japan is projected to experience a net decrease of 5.9 million people in the next 10 years – or 4.77% of Japan’s current population of 123.7 million people. In addition, large numbers of Japan’s experienced skilled workers are retiring. Consequently, Japanese manufacturing companies face the challenge of ensuring appropriate transfer of operational skills and know-how to the next generation of company employees. 3D-printing on a mass production level may play an important role in addressing these industrial challenges.
One of the major hurdles to wider acceptance of 3D manufacturing in Japan is the country’s traditional business culture. Japanese companies are generally hesitant to try new manufacturing technologies until the companies’ engineers fully understand how the machinery operates. In the case of 3D printing, Japanese companies are gaining an appreciation that 3D manufacturing can be utilized to replace traditional manufacturing methods for certain mass production components and parts. The keys to success for U.S. 3D manufacturing companies in the Japanese market are brand awareness, value proposition, and providing case studies involving Japanese customers’ successful use of materials manufactured using 3D printing technologies.
3D printing educational outreach efforts with Japanese partners should also be carefully considered. Japan’s 3D printing market is still developing and lacks large numbers of skilled engineers knowledgeable about 3D printers. U.S. exporters of 3D printers should promote and be ready to implement well-organized educational sessions to their Japanese customers after 3D printing equipment sales are finalized.
Opportunities:
Manufacturing World/ AM Japan
Dates: June 21-23, 2023
Venue: Tokyo Big Sight
Note: Over 1,100 exhibitors and 49,000 business professionals participated in-person at the Manufacturing World/AM Japan in 2022.
TCT Japan 2024
Dates: January 31 - February 2, 2024
Venue: Tokyo Big Sight
Note: Over 100 exhibitors and 40,000 business professionals participated in-person or online at the TCT Japan 2023.
If you have further questions, please contact Office.Tokyo@trade.gov.