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.
| COUNTRY | Import Value of Sign in Japan (million USD) | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | |
| China | 17.4 | 15.2 | 10.8 | 21.7 | 23.0 | 25.9 | 20.6 | 29.9 | 5.1 | 7.5 |
| United States | 1.8 | 2.0 | 2.1 | 1.7 | 1.7 | 3.4 | 4.7 | 4.6 | 1.3 | 1.2 |
| Thailand | 0.5 | 0.7 | 0.9 | 1.1 | 1.2 | 1.5 | 1.4 | 3.0 | 1.2 | 0.9 |
| Italy | 0.2 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.5 |
| Taiwan (Chinese) | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 1.2 | 0.9 | 0.7 | 0.5 |
| Germany | 1.2 | 1.8 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.4 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 0.4 |
| Philippines | 0.1 | 0.4 | 1.2 | 4.3 | 10.1 | 1.8 | 3.7 | 0.2 | N/A | 0.3 |
| South Korea | 5.1 | 8.0 | 6.2 | 9.4 | 7.8 | 8.0 | 8.3 | 3.6 | 0.1 | 0.3 |
| Vietnam | 3.8 | 3.7 | 1.9 | 4.8 | 6.1 | 8.0 | 5.8 | 5.1 | 0.2 | 0.2 |
| Others | -7.0 | -8.4 | 1.1 | -19.8 | -26.9 | -22.2 | -23.5 | -17.1 | 17.7 | 17.5 |
| Total | 23.7 | 24.3 | 25.9 | 25.4 | 25.9 | 28.8 | 23.3 | 31.3 | 27.3 | 29.4 |
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.
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1. INTRODUCTION
Making Data-Driven Decisions to Grow Your Business
- REPORT DESCRIPTION
- RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND AI PLATFORM
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2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
A Quick Overview of Market Performance
- KEY FINDINGS
- MARKET TRENDS This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO
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3. MARKET OVERVIEW
Understanding the Current State of The Market and Its Prospects
- MARKET SIZE
- MARKET STRUCTURE
- TRADE BALANCE
- PER CAPITA CONSUMPTION
- MARKET FORECAST TO 2030
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4. MOST PROMISING PRODUCT
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5. MOST PROMISING SUPPLYING COUNTRIES
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- TOP PRODUCING COUNTRIES
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6. MOST PROMISING OVERSEAS MARKETS
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7. PRODUCTION
The Latest Trends and Insights into The Industry
- PRODUCTION VOLUME AND VALUE
8. IMPORTS
The Largest Import Supplying Countries
- IMPORTS FROM 2012–2024
- IMPORTS BY COUNTRY
- IMPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY
9. EXPORTS
The Largest Destinations for Exports
- EXPORTS FROM 2012–2024
- EXPORTS BY COUNTRY
- EXPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY
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10. PROFILES OF MAJOR PRODUCERS
The Largest Producers on The Market and Their Profiles
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LIST OF TABLES
- Key Findings In 2024
- Market Volume, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
- Market Value, 2012–2024
- Per Capita Consumption In 2012-2024
- Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
- Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
- Import Prices, By Country Of Origin, 2012–2024
- Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
- Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
- Export Prices, By Country Of Destination, 2012–2024
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LIST OF FIGURES
- Market Volume, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
- Market Value, 2012–2024
- Market Structure – Domestic Supply vs. Imports, In Physical Terms, 2012-2024
- Market Structure – Domestic Supply vs. Imports, In Value Terms, 2012-2024
- Trade Balance, In Physical Terms, 2012-2024
- Trade Balance, In Value Terms, 2012-2024
- Per Capita Consumption, 2012-2024
- Market Volume Forecast to 2030
- Market Value Forecast to 2030
- Products: Market Size And Growth, By Type
- Products: Average Per Capita Consumption, By Type
- Products: Exports And Growth, By Type
- Products: Export Prices And Growth, By Type
- Production Volume And Growth
- Exports And Growth
- Export Prices And Growth
- Market Size And Growth
- Per Capita Consumption
- Imports And Growth
- Import Prices
- Production, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
- Production, In Value Terms, 2012–2024
- Imports, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
- Imports, In Value Terms, 2012–2024
- Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2024
- Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
- Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
- Import Prices, By Country Of Origin, 2012–2024
- Exports, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
- Exports, In Value Terms, 2012–2024
- Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2024
- Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
- Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
- Export Prices, By Country Of Destination, 2012–2024
