Thermal Printing Industry Analysis in Japan

Analytical Study of Thermal Printing in Japan from 2023 to 2033

Demand for thermal printing is increasing in various industries, such as shipping, packaging, and transportation, due to its fast, efficient, and portable printing method. The demand for thermal printing in Japan was USD 661.8 million in 2022 and is expected to reach USD 700 million in 2023. Sales of thermal printing solutions are anticipated to reach a value of USD 1,210.7 million by 2033.

Technological advancements are driving the demand for effective, versatile, and high-quality thermal printing solutions. Various industries find wide applications for these printers. The thermal printing industry in Japan is projected to register a CAGR of 5.7% through 2033.

Attributes	Details
Industry Size of Japan in 2023	USD 700 million
Expected Industry Size of Japan by 2033	USD 1,210.7 million
Forecasted CAGR between 2023 to 2033	5.7%

Adoption Analysis of Thermal Printing in Japan

Strong Presence of Manufacturers: Thermal printing in Japan plays a crucial role in label and receipt printing. Prominent manufacturing companies in this sector include Citizen Systems and Seiko Epson Corporation.

Retail and Hospitality: The demand for thermal printing in Japan is heavily influenced by the retail and hospitality sectors, where it is used for generating invoices, receipts, and billing. This printing technique is popular in Japan due to its quick, reliable, and efficient operation.

Popularity of Label and Barcode Printing: Thermal printing is widely employed in the manufacturing and transportation sectors for producing barcodes and labels to track goods inventory and enhance the efficiency of product supply chains.

Industrial Application: Manufacturers in various sectors such as electronics, automotive, and packaging are demanding thermal printing labels to provide specific identity to products and components. They are opting for high-quality, accurate, and durable labels for marketing their products in Japan.

Advanced Technology: Ongoing advancements in technology in Japan are leading to improvements in thermal printing, including enhanced energy efficiency, better quality, and increased connectivity options.

Environmental Considerations: Growing concerns about the environment are driving consumer demand for sustainable and eco-friendly label printing in Japan.

Key Trends Influencing the Demand for Thermal Printing in Japan

High-resolution Printing: The increasing demand for high-resolution prints is leading to improvements in the quality and visibility of thermal printing technologies. This advancement is particularly beneficial in various end-use applications, including healthcare and pharmaceuticals.

RFID Integration: The rising adoption of RFID technology in thermal printing in Japan enables seamless printing and encoding of product information. This integration also leads to more efficient inventory management and improved tracking of the supply chain.

Color Label Printing: The rising trend of color printing captures consumers' attention to thermal printing technology in Japan. These colorful label prints are eye-catching and find widespread use in the retail sector.

Integration with Automation: The growing integration of the Internet of Things and automation with thermal printing is leading to seamless tracking and labeling for packaging products in Japan.

Customization: Manufacturers are boosting sales of thermal printing in Japan by providing tailored, reliable, and customized labels for the food and retail sector. This allows them to effectively promote and advertise their products.

Mobile Printing: The increasing adoption of thermal printing in Japan is driven by the growing popularity of mobile printing across various applications. This trend is fueled by the need for quick label printing, improved customer services, and enhanced productivity.

Challenges in Japan Thermal Printing Industry

Industry Saturation: Manufacturers are facing challenges due to rising competition from key companies. These companies are offering innovative, unique, and cost-effective solutions to maintain profitability, which may in turn impact the demand for thermal printing.

Supply Chain Disruptions: Natural calamities, resource unavailability, and material shortages can lead to supply chain disruptions that impact the demand for thermal printing in Japan. This disruption, in turn, hinders the production process and availability of updated products.

Labeling Regulations: The increasing adoption of thermal printing in Japan is driven by various sectors seeking specific labeling and unique requirements. These labeling solutions require constant updates to comply with complex regulations, which ultimately impact the sales of thermal printing technologies.

Category-wise insights

Thermal Transfer Printing Technology Gains Significant Attention

Based on printing technology, the thermal transfer segment holds a 46.1% share in the thermal printing industry in Japan in 2023. The growing demand for durable and long-lasting prints is driving the adoption of thermal transfer technology in Japan. These technologies fulfill barcode requirements for the logistics and manufacturing sectors.

Top Printing Technology	Thermal Transfer
Industry Share in 2023	46.1%

Manufacturers utilize thermal transfer printing technology to provide resistance against moisture, water, chemicals, and heat for end-use industries, enhancing their performance in challenging conditions. The increasing demand for customized thermal printing plays a key role in offering serial numbers, data, and expiry dates with high-resolution prints. The rising consumer preference for the reliability of thermal transfer technology is gaining popularity in Japan.

Higher Demand for Barcode Printers in Japan

Based on printer type, sales of barcode printers account for a significant share of 40.0% in Japan's thermal printing industry as of 2023. The growing retail and transportation sector is driving the demand for barcode printers to optimize operations and track products. Manufacturers focus on ensuring high quality in these printers for better visualization, aiming to attract end users' desires and stimulating the demand for barcode printers.

Top Product Type	Barcode Printers
Industry Share in 2023	40.0%

Barcode labels make it easy to supply medical products by efficiently identifying patients through tracking and labeling printing processes in Japan. These printers are versatile, cost-effective, and offer accuracy through mobile printers and barcode technology to meet end users' requirements.

Competitive Landscape

The thermal printing industry in Japan is highly consolidated, with a number of essential players playing a vital role in developing advanced, quality printing solutions. They heavily invest in research and development to ensure high-quality, improved, and suitable printing for their consumers. Key players adopt various marketing tactics to promote industry growth, including mergers, collaborations, and partnerships.

Recent Development in the Thermal Printing Industry in Japan

• In 2020, SATO Holdings announced the launch of its new product, CL4NX Plus, in Japan. This thermal printer is widely utilized for track and trace operations due to its dependability, versatility, and durability.
• In 2021, Honeywell International Inc. announced its agreement with IDEMIA. This agreement aims to develop and cultivate an ecosystem with superior experiences.

Scope of the Report

Attributes	Details
Estimated Industry Size in 2023	USD 700 million
Projected Industry Valuation by 2033	USD 1,210.7 million
Value-based CAGR 2023 to 2033	5.7%
Historical Analysis of Thermal Printing in Japan	2018 to 2022
Demand Forecast for Thermal Printing in Japan	2023 to 2033
Report Coverage	Industry Size, Industry Trends, Analysis of key factors influencing Thermal Printing in Japan Insights on Global Players and their Industry Strategy in Japan, Ecosystem Analysis of Local and Regional Japan Providers
Key Cities Analyzed While Studying Opportunities in Thermal Printing in Japan	Kanto, Chubu, Kinki, Kyushu and Okinawa, Tohoku, Rest of Japan
Key Companies Profiled	NCR Corporation; Honeywell International, Inc; HP Development Company, L.P.; Toshiba Tec Corporation; NEC Corporation; Brother Industries, Inc; SATO HOLDINGS CORPORATION; Citizen Systems; Fujitsu LimitedStar Micronics Co., Ltd; BIXOLON CO., LTD; Siiko Epson Corporation

Key Segments

By Printer Type:

• Barcode Printer
• POS Printer
• Kiosk & Ticket Printer
• RFID Printer
• Card Printer

By Printing Technology:

• Direct Thermal
• Thermal Transfer
• Dye Diffusion Thermal Transfer

By End-use Industry:

• Retail & Wholesale
• Transportation & Logistics
• Healthcare
• Travel & Transportation
• Media & Entertainment
• Manufacturing
• Government
• Others

By City:

• Kanto
• Chubu
• Kinki
• Kyushu and Okinawa
• Tohoku
• Rest of Japan

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Industry Size for Thermal Printing in Japan?

Sales of thermal printing in Japan reaches USD 700 million in 2023.

What is the Future Outlook of Thermal Printing Adoption in Japan?

The demand for thermal printing in Japan is expected to surpass USD 1,210.7 million by 2033.

What is the Anticipated Growth Rate of Thermal Printing Industry in Japan?

The demand for thermal printing in Japan is likely to rise at a CAGR of 5.7% from 2023 to 2033.

Which City in Japan is Expected to Generate Significant Demand for Thermal Printing Solutions?

Tokyo is likely to witness rapid growth in thermal printing demand during the forecast period.