Japan: Smart Card Market 2024

Smart Card Market Size in Japan

The Japanese smart card market expanded slightly to $X in 2022, picking up by 3.4% against the previous year. Overall, consumption posted a strong increase. Smart card consumption peaked in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in years to come.

Smart Card Production in Japan

In value terms, smart card production dropped modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, showed buoyant growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the production volume increased by 86% against the previous year. Smart card production peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Smart Card Exports

Exports from Japan

In 2022, shipments abroad of cards incorporating an electronic integrated circuit (smart card) was finally on the rise to reach X units for the first time since 2017, thus ending a four-year declining trend. Overall, total exports indicated a resilient increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports decreased by -29.1% against 2017 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when exports increased by 77%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at X units in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, smart card exports dropped markedly to $X in 2022. In general, exports posted a pronounced increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when exports increased by 52%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

China (X units), the United States (X units) and Hong Kong SAR (X units) were the main destinations of smart card exports from Japan, with a combined 69% share of total exports. The Netherlands, Germany, Vietnam, Taiwan (Chinese), Malaysia, South Korea and Australia lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 21%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for the Netherlands (with a CAGR of +37.6%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, China ($X) remains the key foreign market for cards incorporating an electronic integrated circuit (smart card) exports from Japan, comprising 45% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by the United States ($X), with a 17% share of total exports. It was followed by Taiwan (Chinese), with a 13% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value to China stood at +13.0%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the United States (+10.2% per year) and Taiwan (Chinese) (+35.6% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average smart card export price stood at $X per unit in 2022, waning by -19% against the previous year. In general, the export price saw a pronounced slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 an increase of 65% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per unit. From 2019 to 2022, 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 Taiwan (Chinese) ($X per unit), while the average price for exports to Vietnam ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to China (+6.8%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Smart Card Imports

Imports into Japan

In 2022, the amount of cards incorporating an electronic integrated circuit (smart card) imported into Japan soared to X units, picking up by 16% on 2021 figures. In general, total imports indicated prominent growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.9% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +95.6% against 2012 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 19% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

In value terms, smart card imports totaled $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, saw a noticeable descent. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 13%. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2022, China (X units) constituted the largest smart card supplier to Japan, accounting for a 63% share of total imports. Moreover, smart card imports from China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Singapore (X units), eightfold. Thailand (X units) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 6.5% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from China totaled +10.0%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Singapore (-6.8% per year) and Thailand (+7.4% per year).

In value terms, China ($X) constituted the largest supplier of cards incorporating an electronic integrated circuit (smart card) to Japan, comprising 51% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Singapore ($X), with a 13% share of total imports. It was followed by Thailand, with a 9.8% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value from China stood at +4.2%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Singapore (-15.6% per year) and Thailand (+6.6% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average smart card import price stood at $X per unit in 2022, falling by -11.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price saw a deep setback. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 an increase of 3.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $X per unit in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per unit), while the price for Hong Kong SAR ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United States (+23.4%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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