Japan: Magnetic Card Market 2025

Magnetic Card Market Size in Japan

After two years of decline, the Japanese magnetic card market increased by 25% to $X in 2021. In general, consumption, however, showed a deep contraction. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Magnetic Card Production in Japan

In value terms, magnetic card production skyrocketed to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, continues to indicate a abrupt decrease. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Magnetic Card Exports

Exports from Japan

In 2021, overseas shipments of cards incorporating a magnetic stripe were finally on the rise to reach X units for the first time since 2016, thus ending a four-year declining trend. Over the period under review, exports, however, faced a sharp slump. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at X units in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, magnetic card exports surged to $X in 2021. In general, exports, however, saw a dramatic contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when exports increased by 239%. The exports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

The United States (X units) was the main destination for magnetic card exports from Japan, accounting for a 40% share of total exports. Moreover, magnetic card exports to the United States exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Hong Kong SAR (X units), twofold. The United Arab Emirates (X units) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 16% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to the United States stood at -29.2%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Hong Kong SAR (-33.6% per year) and the United Arab Emirates (+4.1% per year).

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X) remains the key foreign market for cards incorporating a magnetic stripe exports from Japan, comprising 55% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by China ($X), with a 12% share of total exports. It was followed by the United States, with a 9.1% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to the United Arab Emirates amounted to +21.7%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: China (-14.7% per year) and the United States (-30.2% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average magnetic card export price stood at $X per unit in 2021, falling by -38.8% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, posted a strong increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 an increase of 86% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per unit. From 2019 to 2021, the average export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the Philippines ($X per unit), while the average price for exports to Hong Kong SAR ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to the Philippines (+28.3%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Magnetic Card Imports

Imports into Japan

In 2021, purchases abroad of cards incorporating a magnetic stripe decreased by -59.6% to X units, falling for the second consecutive year after two years of growth. Overall, imports saw a deep reduction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 71% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X units. From 2017 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, magnetic card imports fell notably to $X in 2021. In general, imports showed a deep setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 47% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2017 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Taiwan (Chinese) (X units), Vietnam (X units) and China (X units) were the main suppliers of magnetic card imports to Japan, with a combined 90% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Vietnam (with a CAGR of +21.6%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced a decline.

In value terms, the largest magnetic card suppliers to Japan were Taiwan (Chinese) ($X), Vietnam ($X) and the United States ($X), together accounting for 88% of total imports.

Vietnam, with a CAGR of +26.0%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced a decline.

Import Prices by Country

The average magnetic card import price stood at $X per unit in 2021, growing by 27% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the peak figure at $X per unit in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per unit), while the price for China ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Vietnam (+3.6%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :