Market Intelligence
Equipment and Machinery Distribution and Logistics Material Handling Japan Trade Development

Japan Material Handling

Japan’s material handling equipment sales totaled $4.5 billion in 2023, which has grown 10% in the past 5 years. Based on Japan’s material handling equipment sector trends, material handling equipment sales are expected to continue to rise each year. The Japan Institute of Material Handling (JIMH) also projects that this market sector will experience consistent growth into the foreseeable future as the global semiconductor shortage is no longer a major concern and manufacturers are able to build their equipment as they originally planned. Among the subsectors, overhead hoist transport (OHT) grew 58% compared to the previous year. The major investments and expansion of semiconductor fabrication in Japan contributed to this growth.

Globally shared challenges such as supply chain disruptions and particularly a shrinking population certainly impact Japan’s appetite for material handling equipment. According to the Japanese thinktank, the National Institute of Population and Social Security Research, Japan is projected to experience a net decrease of 5.5 million people in the next 10 years – or 4.68% of Japan’s current population of 123.6 million people. In addition, in April 2024, Japan implemented new regulation that limit working hours of fleet drivers to improve their working conditions, as Japan’s logistics industry is known for long working hours. Thus, the new regulation increased demand for cutting-edge material handling equipment and automation systems from manufacturing lines to warehouses as Japan’s fleet drivers help loading and unloading boxes to and from trucks.

Given Japan’s shrinking work force and reduced working hours, U.S. manufactures of automated material handling systems and services should consider opportunities in the Japanese market.

Opportunities:

Kansai Logix
Dates: April 9-11, 2025 
Venue: Intex Osaka
https://kansai-logix.com/
Note: Over 370 exhibitors and 25,300 business professionals participated in-person at the Kansai Logix in 2024.

Logi-Tech Tokyo 2025
Dates: September 10-12, 2025 
Venue: Tokyo Big Sight 
https://ie.logis-tech-tokyo.gr.jp/
Note: Over 580 exhibitors and 84,200 business professionals participated in-person or online at the Logi-Tech Tokyo in 2024.

If you have further questions, please contact Office.Tokyo@trade.gov.