Market Reports Japan

In total domestic bicycle and e-bike sales amounted to 5.08 million units in 2023 and may fall under 5 million units in 2024 if the drop in sales continues. – Photo Jo Beckendorff

Japanese bike market struggling to get out of slump

TOKYO, Japan - While the corona pandemic caused a veritable bicycle and e-bike boom in the west, this sales boom completely bypassed Japan. The current sales slump therefore isn't based on a sharp drop from new sales records as in the west. For years the bicycle market in the Land of the Rising Sun has been shifting in low gear. The local market slump continued in 2023 and a reversal is not expected in the current year either.

The Corona lockdowns did not lead to an (e-)bike sales boom like in Europe, but achieved exactly the opposite. - Photo Jo Beckendorff

Japanese bicycle market continues to slide; sales dip below 6 million...

TOKYO, Japan – The bicycle market figures for 2022 presented by the Japan Bicycle Promotion Institute (JPBI) showed that the pandemic played a completely different role on the Japanese bicycle market than in the western world. Bike Europe tried to find out why the virus didn’t lead to a sales boom as it did in Europe.

The ‘Made in Japan’ Mamacheri e-bike brand with rain-protected front child seat/shopping basket and rear child seat is popular among urban families. - Photo Jo Beckendorff

No delayed Covid-effect as Japanese bicycle market dips

TOKYO, Japan - Neither the corona crisis or a shift in mentality to sustainable transport options have been able to lead to a strengthening of either the Japanese bicycle industry or the domestic bicycle market. A first look at 2021 bicycle figures compiled by the Japan Bicycle Promotion Institute (JBPI) show the same trend as previous years, that the market is weakening.

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.

Japan: All Good In 2014; 2015 Looks Less Promising

Japan: All Good In 2014; 2015 Looks Less Promising

TOKYO, Japan - E-bikes were the driving force of Japan's bicycle market in 2014. Despite the fact that sales in units dropped; money-wise the Japanese market was still able to record growth. However, it's doubtful this will continue in 2015 when looking the latest figures.

Japan 2011: Pedelec Sales on the Rise

Japan 2011: Pedelec Sales on the Rise

TOKYO, Japan - Bike Europe's latest published Japan bicycle market report for 2011 was based on the January to October figures. Correspondent Jo ...