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Jan 20, 2025

Japan Experiences Significant Increase in Sign Imports, Climbing to $29 Million in 2024

Japan Sign Imports

In 2024, imports of sign into Japan reduced to 932 tons, waning by -5.7% on the previous year's figure. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.0% over the period from 2014 to 2024; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 40%. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at 989 tons in 2023, and then dropped in the following year.

In value terms, sign imports stood at $29M (IndexBox estimates) in 2024. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% over the period from 2014 to 2024; however, the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when imports increased by 34% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $31M. From 2022 to 2024, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.Japan Sign Imports By Country (Million USD)

COUNTRYImport Value of Sign in Japan (million USD)
2014201520162017201820192020202120222023
China17.415.210.821.723.025.920.629.95.17.5
United States1.82.02.11.71.73.44.74.61.31.2
Thailand0.50.70.91.11.21.51.43.01.20.9
Italy0.20.60.30.60.60.80.50.40.50.5
Taiwan (Chinese)0.50.30.30.60.80.81.20.90.70.5
Germany1.21.81.11.11.40.80.60.70.50.4
Philippines0.10.41.24.310.11.83.70.2N/A0.3
South Korea5.18.06.29.47.88.08.33.60.10.3
Vietnam3.83.71.94.86.18.05.85.10.20.2
Others-7.0-8.41.1-19.8-26.9-22.2-23.5-17.117.717.5
Total23.724.325.925.425.928.823.331.327.329.4

Imports by Country

In 2023, China (418 tons) constituted the largest supplier of sign to Japan, with a 42% share of total imports. Moreover, sign imports from China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Thailand (49 tons), ninefold. The United States (24 tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 2.4% share.

From 2014 to 2023, the average annual growth rate of volume from China totaled -8.7%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Thailand (+5.1% per year) and the United States (-7.2% per year).

In value terms, China ($7.5M) constituted the largest supplier of sign to Japan, comprising 25% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the United States ($1.2M), with a 4.2% share of total imports. It was followed by Thailand, with a 3.2% share.

From 2014 to 2023, the average annual growth rate of value from China amounted to -8.9%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the United States (-3.8% per year) and Thailand (+6.4% per year).

Imports by Type

Illuminated signs and illuminated name-plates (526 tons) and metal advertising signs (406 tons) were the main products of sign imports to Japan.

From 2014 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for illuminated signs and illuminated name-plates (with a CAGR of +4.2%).

In value terms, sign with the largest imports in Japan were illuminated signs and illuminated name-plates ($18M) and metal advertising signs ($11M).

Import Prices by Country

In 2023, the sign price stood at $29,758 per ton (CIF, Japan), reducing by -4% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 an increase of 27%. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $35,747 per ton. From 2020 to 2023, the average import prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2023, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($152,378 per ton), while the price for the Philippines ($17,307 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2014 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Germany (+7.2%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform

  1. 1. INTRODUCTION

    Making Data-Driven Decisions to Grow Your Business

    1. REPORT DESCRIPTION
    2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND THE AI PLATFORM
    3. DATA-DRIVEN DECISIONS FOR YOUR BUSINESS
    4. GLOSSARY AND SPECIFIC TERMS

  2. 2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

    A Quick Overview of Market Performance

    1. KEY FINDINGS
    2. MARKET TRENDSThis Chapter is Available Only for the Professional EditionPRO

  3. 3. MARKET OVERVIEW

    Understanding the Current State of The Market and its Prospects

    1. MARKET SIZE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
    2. MARKET STRUCTURE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
    3. TRADE BALANCE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
    4. PER CAPITA CONSUMPTION: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
    5. MARKET FORECAST TO 2035

  4. 4. MOST PROMISING PRODUCTS FOR DIVERSIFICATION

    Finding New Products to Diversify Your Business

    1. TOP PRODUCTS TO DIVERSIFY YOUR BUSINESS
    2. BEST-SELLING PRODUCTS
    3. MOST CONSUMED PRODUCTS
    4. MOST TRADED PRODUCTS
    5. MOST PROFITABLE PRODUCTS FOR EXPORTS

  5. 5. MOST PROMISING SUPPLYING COUNTRIES

    Choosing the Best Countries to Establish Your Sustainable Supply Chain

    1. TOP COUNTRIES TO SOURCE YOUR PRODUCT
    2. TOP PRODUCING COUNTRIES
    3. TOP EXPORTING COUNTRIES
    4. LOW-COST EXPORTING COUNTRIES

  6. 6. MOST PROMISING OVERSEAS MARKETS

    Choosing the Best Countries to Boost Your Export

    1. TOP OVERSEAS MARKETS FOR EXPORTING YOUR PRODUCT
    2. TOP CONSUMING MARKETS
    3. UNSATURATED MARKETS
    4. TOP IMPORTING MARKETS
    5. MOST PROFITABLE MARKETS

  7. 7. PRODUCTION

    The Latest Trends and Insights into The Industry

    1. PRODUCTION VOLUME AND VALUE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)

  8. 8. IMPORTS

    The Largest Import Supplying Countries

    1. IMPORTS: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
    2. IMPORTS BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024)
    3. IMPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024)

  9. 9. EXPORTS

    The Largest Destinations for Exports

    1. EXPORTS: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
    2. EXPORTS BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024)
    3. EXPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024)

  10. 10. PROFILES OF MAJOR PRODUCERS

    The Largest Producers on The Market and Their Profiles

  11. LIST OF TABLES

    1. Key Findings In 2024
    2. Market Volume, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    3. Market Value: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    4. Per Capita Consumption: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    5. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    6. Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    7. Import Prices, By Country, 2012–2024
    8. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    9. Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    10. Export Prices, By Country, 2012–2024

  12. LIST OF FIGURES

    1. Market Volume, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    2. Market Value: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    3. Market Structure – Domestic Supply vs. Imports, in Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    4. Market Structure – Domestic Supply vs. Imports, in Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    5. Trade Balance, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    6. Trade Balance, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    7. Per Capita Consumption: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    8. Market Volume Forecast to 2035
    9. Market Value Forecast to 2035
    10. Market Size and Growth, By Product
    11. Average Per Capita Consumption, By Product
    12. Exports and Growth, By Product
    13. Export Prices and Growth, By Product
    14. Production Volume and Growth
    15. Exports and Growth
    16. Export Prices and Growth
    17. Market Size and Growth
    18. Per Capita Consumption
    19. Imports and Growth
    20. Import Prices
    21. Production, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    22. Production, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    23. Imports, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    24. Imports, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    25. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2024
    26. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    27. Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    28. Import Prices, By Country, 2012–2024
    29. Exports, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    30. Exports, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    31. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2024
    32. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    33. Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    34. Export Prices, By Country, 2012–2024

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