Latest Report on Trends of Japanese Retail Packaging Market to 2017

The report “Latest Trends and Key Issues in the Japanese Retail Packaging Market – The outlook for primary packaging containers, closures and outers to 2017 ″ by Canadean is now available at RnRMarketResearch.com. Contact sales@rnrmarketresearch.com with The Latest Trends and Key Issues in the Japanese Retail Packaging Market – The outlook for primary packaging containers, closures and outers to 2017 in subject line and your contact details to purchase this report or get your questions answered.

The collection of ‘Flexible Packaging’ market research reports has a new addition of” Latest Trends and Key Issues in the Japanese Retail Packaging Market – The outlook for primary packaging containers, closures and outers to 2017 ”on RnRMarketResearch.com. The rising cost of raw materials in recent years has hampered the profit margins of Japanese packaging manufacturers in recent years, whilst the consequences of the earthquake and tsunami of March 2011 forced them to cut production to supply material and products for relief operations. Despite this, the market was still valued at JPY5,656.4 billion (US$70.9 billion) in 2012, according to this report.

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the emerging trends and opportunities in Japan’s packaging market, offering an overview of key manufacturing and innovation trends, along with analysis of the macroeconomic and demographic evolution of the Japanese market. Facilitating the clear identification of promising areas for future growth – both in terms of innovative products and lucrative geographies – and an explicit understanding of the relationship between key drivers of consumer demand, Latest Trends and Key Issues in the Japanese Retail Packaging Market: The outlook for primary packaging containers, closures and outers to 2017 should be considered the definitive guide to the Japanese packaging market, and required reading for those serious about capitalizing on the opportunities it presents.

Request a sample copy of this report by Canadean @ http://www.rnrmarketresearch.com/contacts/request-sample?rname=121447 .

KEY CONSUMER DRIVERS

Japan has historically been known as a quality-oriented test market, whether for the launch of a super-premium vehicle or the introduction of a beauty product for its aging population; the Japanese consumer has been traditionally characterized as prizing quality and convenience over price. In recent years however, Japan has been undergoing a major demographic and economic shift, due to factors such as the continued economic uncertainty, the aging population and shrinking household sizes, and the continued consequences – both in practical and psychological terms - of the Great East Japan earthquake and the precipitant tsunami and nuclear power plant issues.

RnRMarketResearch forecasts the volume growth in the Japanese packaging sector to be 1.15% per annum over the next five years; between this limited market growth, and the significant demographic changes sweeping Japan, it is ever-more vital for organizations seeking to capitalize on opportunities in the Japanese packaging market to gain a proper understanding of consumer drivers as to better position themselves and their products to meet the needs of Japanese consumers.

 Japan’s Aging Population

Japan’s population has been falling continuously for the past six years, with the biggest population drop occurring in 2012, where it dropped by 101,000 from the previous year to 127.4 million; it is projected to contract to 125.5 million by 2020. This is primarily a result of the increasingly low birth rate, record high death rates, and the country’s aversion to immigration.

The age of Japan’s population, however, may be an even more significant trend, with 23.9% of the total population being over the age of 65; this exceeds the proportion of the population aged less than 15. With the low birth rates outnumbered by growing death rates, Japan is suffering a number of detrimental consequences of this demographic shift, such as a shortage of skilled manpower.

These detrimental consequences do not, however, necessarily extend to packaging manufacturers, for whom this growing demographic represents an opportunity for profit. By developing products with the specific needs of this aging population in mind – such as easy-to-open packs, re-sealable packs, and packs with clearer labeling – packaging manufacturers can make the most of the changing make-up of Japan’s consumer base.

One example of such products is Yoshida Cosmetic Works’ range of products that come packaged in a stylish case with a built-in magnification mirror to increase their utility and appeal to older women.

Complete report spread across [91] pages available @ http://www.rnrmarketresearch.com/latest-trends-and-key-issues-in-the-japanese-retail-packaging-market-the-outlook-for-primary-packaging-containers-closures-and-outers-to-2017-market-report.html . Read more on “Latest Trends and Key Issues in the Japanese Retail Packaging Market – The outlook for primary packaging containers, closures and outers to 2017 ” report below.

Economic Problems Breed Consumer Caution

The weak Japanese economy of recent years has led consumers to rationalize their purchasing patterns.

For example, although Government measures helped bring about a faster recovery than was expected, the 2011 earthquake and tsunami have had a severe impact on Japan’s economy. Whilst RnRMarketResearch predicts that overly hastened demand will cause an upswing before 2014, the planned rise of consumption tax – a precipitant consequence of the government’s efforts to secure recovery – will spark a reactionary decline of economic activities.

Furthermore, the highly escalating value of the Japanese Yen has affected the exports on which Japan is significantly dependent, and its nuclear facility’s damage from the earthquake has prompted a rise in already high oil and gas imports, creating a trade deficit. More recently, the Japan Research Institute’s research has indicated that despite the aggressive monetary policies of the Bank of Japan, the correlation between the Yen exchange and real Japanese exports has weakened.

Thus, Japanese consumers are facing static incomes and falling discretionary spending power, prompting them to curtail unnecessary spending and make value purchases. Consequently, Japanese customers will now spend much more time researching their purchases and hunting for value; whilst in the past Japanese consumers would spend money to save time, they are now much more inclined to spend their time to save money.

Thus, to capitalize on this social trend, packaging in Japan must impart value to consumers whilst simultaneously meeting the low cost requirements of manufacturers. Light-weighting and down-gauging will prove effective means of reducing cost as well as easing transportation in bulk, whilst the minimization of waste in low cost packaging will help firms meet their sustainability targets and create an eco-friendly image in the minds of their consumers. Now more than ever, the material, type, shape and size of packaging must be carefully considered to communicate value and make cost effective products, whilst still offering as much convenience and differentiation as possible.

 

Natural Disasters Shape Packaging Demands

Japan lies in the Pacific Ring of Fire, and has experienced no less than 15 natural disasters between 2001 and 2011 as a result, the worst being the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. This disaster caused a collapse of the supply chain, and a severe shortage of packaging materials such as Polypropylene (PP) and oriented polypropylene (OOP), which had a cascading effect on the relief and supply operations. This shortage has necessitated efficient stocking of major packaging materials in case of future recurrences.

Furthermore, during the earthquake and tsunami, there were instances of the transportation of products proving difficult as a result of their heavy weights, and reports of victims struggling to open canned food and drink as a result of equipment shortages. Consequently, there is now a greater requirement for the better design of products in terms of convenience to transport, smaller storage space, and relative ease of opening.

Whilst some packaging formats posed a challenge to the disaster relief effort, other formats – such as PET bottles, retort pouches, and ready-to-use multi pack kits – played a vital role in the smooth execution of relief operations. Consequently, packaging manufacturers seeking to capitalize on opportunities in Japan must consider the abilities of their products to react to dramatic and disastrous changes in environmental circumstance, and offer the greatest utility to those unlucky enough to fall victim to a future disaster.

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