Japan: Tobacco Market 2025

Tobacco Market Size in Japan

The Japanese tobacco market rose notably to $X in 2021, growing by 11% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption saw a significant increase. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs in 2021 and is likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

Tobacco Production in Japan

In value terms, tobacco production shrank to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, showed a buoyant expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when the production volume increased by 30% against the previous year. Tobacco production peaked at $X in 2020, and then reduced in the following year.

Tobacco Exports

Exports from Japan

In 2021, overseas shipments of tobacco (smoking tobacco, chewing tobacco, snuff) increased by 36% to X tons, rising for the fifth consecutive year after two years of decline. Overall, exports enjoyed significant growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 1,797%. The exports peaked in 2021 and are likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, tobacco exports surged to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports saw significant growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by 1,278%. The exports peaked in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Exports by Country

Taiwan (Chinese) (X tons) was the main destination for tobacco exports from Japan, accounting for a 16% share of total exports. Moreover, tobacco exports to Taiwan (Chinese) exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, China (X tons), tenfold. The third position in this ranking was held by the United Arab Emirates (X tons), with a 0.7% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Taiwan (Chinese) totaled +114.8%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: China (+118.1% per year) and the United Arab Emirates (+126.1% per year).

In value terms, Taiwan (Chinese) ($X) remains the key foreign market for tobacco (smoking tobacco, chewing tobacco, snuff) exports from Japan, comprising 53% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by China ($X), with a 4.9% share of total exports. It was followed by the United Arab Emirates, with a 1.4% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Taiwan (Chinese) stood at +95.9%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: China (+103.5% per year) and the United Arab Emirates (+93.5% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average tobacco export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, growing by 20% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price enjoyed a strong increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 an increase of 1,675% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Myanmar (+147.8%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Tobacco Imports

Imports into Japan

In 2021, the amount of tobacco (smoking tobacco, chewing tobacco, snuff) imported into Japan rose significantly to X tons, with an increase of 12% compared with the previous year. In general, imports showed a strong expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when imports increased by 105%. Imports peaked in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, tobacco imports rose sharply to $X in 2021. Overall, imports posted significant growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 with an increase of 816%. Imports peaked in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Italy (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of tobacco to Japan, with a 50% share of total imports. Moreover, tobacco imports from Italy exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, South Korea (X tons), threefold. Greece (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with an 8.9% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Italy stood at +208.1%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: South Korea (+2,274.3% per year) and Greece (+58.0% per year).

In value terms, Italy ($X) constituted the largest supplier of tobacco (smoking tobacco, chewing tobacco, snuff) to Japan, comprising 65% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by South Korea ($X), with a 12% share of total imports. It was followed by Greece, with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value from Italy stood at +214.4%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: South Korea (+5,145.9% per year) and Greece (+66.0% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average tobacco import price amounted to $X per ton, flattening at the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, showed significant growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when the average import price increased by 475%. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2020, and then fell in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Romania ($X per ton), while the price for France ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Korea (+120.9%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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