Japan Industry Outlook – 2026 to 2030 (Summary)
Recently, I shared a summary of Mizuho Bank’s industry research report. This time, I’ve gone a step further and provided a short, easy-to-understand summary of each major industry.
The original report is quite detailed, so I’ve focused on the key points for a quick overview. Some detailed numbers have been omitted for simplicity.
1. Materials (Chemicals, Steel, etc.)
Materials form the foundation of Japan’s manufacturing industry.
Domestic demand is expected to gradually shrink due to a declining population.
However, new demands are emerging:
- Eco-friendly materials
- CO₂-reducing materials
- Stable domestic supply
The era of “mass production and low cost” is ending.
The key question now is whether a company can produce high-value materials.
2. Automotive & Machinery
The automotive and machinery sectors are entering a period of major transition:
- Global economic growth is slowing
- Prices of materials and goods are unstable
- New technologies (EVs, AI-controlled systems) are advancing rapidly
Companies that successfully adopt digitalization and environmental measures will have great opportunities.
3. Energy (Electricity & Renewables)
Energy is a key industry supporting national infrastructure.
The main challenge today is: how to provide stable electricity while being environmentally responsible.
Emerging areas include:
- Renewable energy
- Energy-saving technologies
- New power systems
These “new forms” of energy are expected to grow.
4. IT, Information Services & Electronics
This sector will become even more prominent in the coming years.
With labor shortages, companies need to focus on:
- Automation
- Efficiency improvements
- Data utilization
- AI adoption
Demand for technologies that make work easier is expected to rise steadily.
5. Healthcare, Medical & Elderly Care
Japan’s aging population will increase demand for healthcare and eldercare services.
Challenges: shortage of human resources
Opportunities: new service models and technology-driven solutions, such as:
- Preventive healthcare
- Online medical consultations
- Monitoring services
6. Retail, Logistics & Services
This sector is heavily affected by population decline, but there are positive developments:
- Growth of e-commerce
- Store automation
- Logistics efficiency
- Services for the elderly
Industries can transform and adapt to new needs.
Conclusion: Change is Coming to Every Industry
Every sector is experiencing waves of change.
- For some companies, these changes are a risk
- For others, they are a chance
Changes will also affect the skills and types of talent required.
Next time, I will summarize which types of talent will be in demand in the coming years.
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