Packaging in 2023: The big picture
In recent years, Japan has experienced a significant shift in packaging trends, driven by growing environmental awareness and a focus on sustainability. This shift has led to efforts to reduce the weight of containers, simplify packaging materials and prioritise recyclable options.
2023 key trends
In Japan, small pack sizes are increasingly gaining market share across various packaging categories, with flexible plastic playing a key role in the packaging of chilled and frozen processed meat, seafood and meat substitutes. While flexible plastic packaging has traditionally had the highest unit volumes in meat substitutes, it was chilled processed seafood that saw the most significant increase in its share of overall flexible plastic packaging unit volumes in 2023.
Flexible plastic dominates frozen pizza packaging
In 2023, flexible plastic continued to dominate as the preferred packaging format for frozen pizza, thanks to its practicality and consumer-friendly features. One key advantage of this packaging is its transparency, allowing consumers to visually inspect the pizza inside, which helps build trust in the product’s quality.
Smaller pack sizes gaining traction in non-alcoholic drinks packaging amid rising on-the-go consumption trend
In 2023, the non-alcoholic drinks market in Japan saw a notable resurgence in demand for smaller pack sizes, driven by the revival of on-the-go consumption and impulse purchases as people spent more time outside their homes post-pandemic. Retailers and manufacturers are capitalising on this trend by introducing compact pack sizes that suit consumers’ increasingly mobile lifestyles.
Declining use of PET bottles in alcoholic drinks packaging
In Japan, the use of PET bottles in alcoholic drinks packaging recorded a decline in retail volume share in 2023, with significant drops in categories like spirits (notably brandy and cognac) and wine. While PET bottles are lightweight, shatterproof and recyclable, they are often viewed as less premium than glass; a key consideration for product areas that prioritise quality and luxury.
Brands adopting innovative packaging solutions in the move towards sustainability
To improve the recyclability of its toothpaste tubes, NICE Group collaborated with Dow and Amcor to eliminate the aluminium layer while maintaining the high barrier performance essential for toothpaste packaging. Traditional toothpaste tubes typically use a thin aluminium or plastic layer, combined with an inner polyethylene layer for product protection, created through an extrusion process that heats and shapes the materials into a tube.
Smaller pack sizes are gaining traction in Japanese home care packaging
In Japan, the 350ml and 400ml pack sizes dominate surface care packaging due to their convenience and practicality. These sizes are lightweight, easy to handle and ideal for everyday cleaning tasks.
Delivery:
Files are delivered directly into your account soon after payment is received and any tax is certification is verified (where applicable).
This report comes in PDF.
Overview:
Understand the latest market trends and future growth opportunities for the Packaging industry in Japan with research from Euromonitor International's team of in-country analysts – experts by industry and geographic specialisation.
Key trends are clearly and succinctly summarised alongside the most current research data available. Understand and assess competitive threats and plan corporate strategy with our qualitative analysis, insight and confident growth projections.
Data and analysis in this report provides further detailed coverage dedicated to a comprehensive range of packaging types.
If you're in the Packaging industry in Japan, our research will help you to make informed, intelligent decisions; to recognise and profit from opportunity, or to offer resilience amidst market uncertainty.
The Packaging in Japan report includes:
- Analysis of key supply-side and demand trends
- Detailed segmentation of international and local products
- Historic volume and value sizes, company and brand market shares
- Five year forecasts of market trends and market growth
- Robust and transparent research methodology, conducted in-country
This report answers:
- What is the market size of Packaging in Japan?
- Which are the major pack types and how are they performing in Japan?
- Have there been any packaging legislative changes in the past 12 months?
- How are consumption trends impacting the packaging landscape?
- What are the key trends and latest product developments in packaging?
- How important are sustainability and recycling to consumers in Japan?
- Where is future growth expected to be most significant?
Packaging Industry in Japan
Packaging in 2023: The big picture
2023 key trends
Flexible plastic dominates frozen pizza packaging
Smaller pack sizes gaining traction in non-alcoholic drinks packaging amid rising on-the-go consumption trend
Declining use of PET bottles in alcoholic drinks packaging
Brands adopting innovative packaging solutions in the move towards sustainability
Smaller pack sizes are gaining traction in Japanese home care packaging
Regulations regarding food packaging now include a “positive list” of materials that can be used
Japan Soft Drink Association takes the initiative to increase the ratio of bottle-to-bottle recycling
Plastic Resource Circulation Act a step towards circular packaging solutions
The following categories and subcategories are included:
Packaging
-
- Baby and Child-specific Products Packaging
-
- Bar Soap
- Bath Additives
- Body Powder
- Body Wash/Shower Gel
- Hand Sanitisers
-
- Intimate Washes
- Intimate Wipes
- Liquid Soap
-
-
- Eye Liner/Pencil
- Eye Shadow
- Mascara
- Other Lash and Brow Make-Up
-
- BB/CC Creams
- Blusher/Bronzer/Highlighter
- Foundation/Concealer
- Powder
- Other Facial Make-Up
-
- Lip Gloss
- Lip Liner/Pencil
- Lipstick
- Other Lip Products
-
- Nail Polish
- Nail Treatments/Strengthener
- Polish Remover
- Other Nail Products
-
-
- Deodorant Creams
- Deodorant Pumps
- Deodorant Roll-Ons
- Deodorant Sprays
- Deodorant Sticks
-
- Hair Removers/Bleaches
- Women's Pre-Shave
- Women's Razors and Blades
- Fragrances Packaging
-
- 2-in-1 Products
- Colourants
- Conditioners and Treatments
- Perms and Relaxants
- Salon Professional Hair Care
- Standard Shampoos
- Styling Agents
-
-
- Men's Post-Shave
- Men's Pre-Shave
- Men's Razors and Blades
-
- Men's Bath and Shower
- Men's Deodorants
- Men's Hair Care
- Men's Skin Care
-
-
- Dental Floss
- Denture Care
- Mouth Fresheners
- Mouthwashes/Dental Rinses
- Tooth Whiteners
- Toothbrushes
- Toothpaste
-
- Body Care
-
- Face Masks
-
- Liquid/Cream/Gel/Bar Cleansers
- Facial Cleansing Wipes
-
- Basic Moisturisers
- Anti-Agers
- Lip Care
- Toners
- Hand Care
-
- Adult Sun Care
- Baby and Child-specific Sun Care
-
-
-
- Dark Beer
-
- Flavoured/Mixed Lager
-
- Domestic Lager
- Imported Lager
- Non/Low Alcohol Beer
- Stout
- Cider/Perry
- RTDs
-
- Brandy and Cognac
- Liqueurs
- Rum
- Tequila (and Mezcal)
- Whiskies
- White Spirits
- Other Spirits
-
- Fortified Wine and Vermouth
- Non-Grape Wine
- Sparkling Wine
- Still Light Grape Wine
- Non Alcoholic Wine
-
-
-
-
- Fresh Coffee Beans
-
- Fresh Ground Coffee Pods
- Standard Fresh Ground Coffee
- Instant Coffee
-
-
- Black Tea
- Green Tea
- Fruit/Herbal Tea
- Instant Tea
- Other Tea
-
- Flavoured Powder Drinks
- Other Plant-based Hot Drinks
-
-
- Asian Speciality Drinks
-
- Carbonated Bottled Water
- Flavoured Bottled Water
- Functional Bottled Water
- Still Bottled Water
-
- Cola Carbonates
- Non-Cola Carbonates
-
- Liquid Concentrates
- Powder Concentrates
-
- 100% Juice
- Juice Drinks (up to 24% Juice)
- Nectars (25-99% Juice)
- Coconut and Other Plant Waters
- Energy Drinks
- Sports Drinks
- RTD Coffee
-
- Carbonated RTD Tea and Kombucha
- Still RTD Tea
-
-
-
- Cat Treats and Mixers
- Dry Cat Food
- Wet Cat Food
-
- Dog Treats and Mixers
- Dry Dog Food
- Wet Dog Food
-
-
-
- Dried Baby Food
-
- Liquid Milk Formula
- Powder Milk Formula
- Prepared Baby Food
- Other Baby Food
-
- Dessert Mixes
- Frozen Baked Goods
- Packaged Bread
- Packaged Cakes
- Packaged Pastries
- Dessert Pies and Tarts
- Breakfast Cereals Packaging
-
-
- Chocolate Pouches and Bags
- Boxed Assortments
- Chocolate with Toys
- Countlines
- Seasonal Chocolate
- Tablets
- Other Chocolate Confectionery
- Gum
- Sugar Confectionery
-
-
- Butter and Spreads
-
- Processed Cheese
- Packaged Hard Cheese
- Soft Cheese
-
- Flavoured Milk Drinks
-
-
- Fresh Milk
- Shelf Stable Milk
- Goat Milk
-
- Powder Milk
-
- Sour Milk Products
- Yoghurt
-
- Chilled and Shelf Stable Desserts
- Chilled Snacks
- Coffee Whiteners
-
- Condensed Milk
- Cream
- Fromage Frais and Quark
-
- Plant-based Milk
- Plant-based Yoghurt
- Plant-based Cheese
- Edible Oils Packaging
-
- Frozen Yoghurt
- Impulse Ice Cream
- Plant-based Ice Cream
- Take-Home Ice Cream
-
-
- Frozen Fruit
- Frozen Processed Potatoes
- Frozen Processed Vegetables
-
- Shelf Stable Beans
- Shelf Stable Fruit
- Shelf Stable Tomatoes
- Shelf Stable Vegetables
-
-
-
- Chilled Processed Meat
- Frozen Processed Meat
- Shelf Stable Meat
-
- Chilled Processed Seafood
- Frozen Processed Seafood
- Shelf Stable Seafood
- Meat and seafood substitutes inc Tofu
-
-
-
- Dried Ready Meals
- Shelf Stable Ready Meals
- Chilled Ready Meals
- Frozen Ready Meals
-
- Chilled Pizza
- Frozen Pizza
-
- Meal Kits
- Quick Recipe Kits
- Chilled Lunch Kits
- Prepared Salads
-
- Dry Soup
- Shelf Stable Soup
- Chilled Soup
- Frozen Soup
-
-
- Noodles
-
- Chilled Pasta
- Dried Pasta
- Rice
-
-
- Bouillon
- Gravy Cubes, Powders and Pots
- Herbs and Spices
- Monosodium Glutamate
- Tomato Pastes and Purées
-
-
- Liquid Recipe Sauces (excl pasta sauces)
- Dry Recipe Sauces
- Pasta Sauces
-
- Barbecue Sauces
- Chili Sauces
- Fish Sauces
- Ketchup
- Mayonnaise
- Mustard
- Oyster Sauces
- Salad Dressings
- Soy Sauces
-
- Dips
- Pickled Products
- Other Sauces and Condiments
-
-
- Nuts, Seeds and Trail Mixes
- Popcorn
- Pretzels
- Salty Snacks
- Savoury Biscuits
- Meat Snacks
- Seafood Snacks
- Other Savoury Snacks
-
- Chocolate Spreads
- Honey
- Jams and Preserves
- Nut and Seed Based Spreads
- Yeast-based Spreads
-
- Fruit Snacks
- Snack Bars
- Sweet Biscuits
-
-
-
- Candle Air Fresheners
- Car Air Fresheners
- Electric Air Fresheners
- Gel Air Fresheners
- Liquid Air Fresheners
- Spray/Aerosol Air Fresheners
- Other Air Care
- Bleach
-
-
- Automatic Dishwashing Liquids
- Automatic Dishwashing Powders
- Automatic Dishwashing Tablets
- Dishwashing Additives
- Hand Dishwashing
-
-
- Electric Insecticides
- Insecticide Baits
- Insecticide Coils
- Spray/Aerosol Insecticides
- Other Home Insecticides
-
- Carpet Cleaners
-
- Dryer Sheets
- Liquid Fabric Softeners
- Laundry Aids
-
-
- Powder Detergents
-
- Compact Powder Tablet Detergents
- Liquid Tablet Detergents
- Liquid Detergents
- Other Detergents
-
-
- Floor Polish
- Furniture Polish
- Metal Polish
- Shoe Polish
-
-
- Cleaning Solution
- Starter Kits/Sweepers/Sticks (Excluding Wipes)
- Wipes (Excluding Starter Kits/Sweepers/Sticks)
- Bathroom Cleaners
- Descalers
- Drain Openers
- Floor Cleaners
- Home Care Disinfectants
- Kitchen Cleaners
- Multi-Purpose Cleaners
- Oven Cleaners
- Scouring Agents
- Window/Glass Cleaners
-
-
- In-Cistern Devices
-
- Rim Blocks
- Rim Liquids
- Toilet Care Tablets/Powders
- Toilet Cleaning Systems
- Toilet Liquids/Foam
-
Why buy this report?
- Gain competitive intelligence about market leaders
- Track key industry trends, opportunities and threats
- Inform your marketing, brand, strategy and market development, sales and supply functions
This report originates from Passport, our Packaging research and analysis database.
NEW REPORT GUARANTEE
If you purchase a report that is updated in the next 60 days, we will send you the new edition and data extraction Free!