A typical Nippon everyday bike with front basket, drum brake, a few gears or as single speeder. Photo: Jo Beckendorff

No sign of Covid-19 boost in Japan's e-bike and bicycle sales

TOKYO, Japan - Despite growth trends seen in many other countries in 2020, Japan's bicycle market moved in the opposite direction. While the Corona-19 pandemic in Europe and North America gave demand for individual bicycle and e-bike mobility a hefty boost, that effect has completely bypassed Japan.

After regular bicycles China is now also taking over Japan’s market for e-bikes. – Photo Jo Beckendorff

China Is Taking Over Japan's E-Bike Market

TOKYO, Japan - Last year's Market Report Japan reported on the already for years ongoing drops in sales of regular bicycles. The only good news was the Made in Japan e-bikes as their 2017 sales increased in numbers as well as in value. Viewing the now available January to September 2018 statistics on production and imports of bicycles and e-bikes, it shows that Japan made e-bikes are faced with rising competition out of China.

Most cheap bicycle imports out of China are sold through larger chain store giants giving Japanese IBDs hard time. - Photo Jo Beckendorff

E-Bikes Positive Note on Japan Market

TOKYO, Japan - The Japanese bicycle market still continues to face difficulties. Last year bicycle sales even slipped onto a 12 years low

There are not many bicycle categories where electrification makes more sense than on the typical Japanese Mamacharis bikes. – Photo Jo Beckendorff

E-Bikes Shine in Dull Japan Market

TOKYO, Japan - First the sad news: the Japanese are buying fewer bicycles. Last year the total shipment to the country's distributors stood

Japan Market Declines Further

Japan Market Declines Further

TOKYO, Japan - For the second year on a row, the Japanese bicycle market is declining in volume. Value-wise however, production and import are reaching new highs. This contrasting development is rooted in the depreciation of the Japanese yen. Also, made in Japan e-bikes contributed to the rising value of the bike production and import.