Japan Smart Home - Market Share Analysis, Industry Trends & Statistics, Growth Forecasts (2024 - 2029)

The Japan Smart Home Market size is estimated at USD 10.12 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 19.57 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 14.10% during the forecast period (2024-2029).

Key Highlights

• As the world moves more toward digitization, there is a notable push to leverage the data generated in daily life to tackle social issues and innovate. Companies and government bodies across various sectors spearhead IoT (Internet of Things) initiatives. These initiatives involve gathering detailed data from multiple locations, from offices and plants to roads and power grids. This data, often stored in the cloud, is then processed using cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence (AI). This movement, which is already prevalent in many industries in Japan, is poised to extend its reach to everyday households, shaping the concept of the smart home.
• With its substantial smartphone user base, Japan stands out in the mobile market landscape. A recent report on Japan's mobile economy highlights a remarkable trend: the average daily mobile device usage has surged, nearly tripling over the past decade to reach around 106 minutes per person. This surge is predominantly driven by the popularity of smart devices, especially smartphones, which dominate the market and fuel the growth of IoT connections.
• Furthermore, the rise of the Internet of Things (IoT) in Japan has been embraced in many unique ways. From automated factory lines to smart home appliances, IoT is transforming almost every aspect of life in Japan, resulting in significant investments. For instance, recently, SoftBank Corp. announced the launch of a full-fledged expansion of its global Internet of Things (IoT) business in Asia-Pacific (APAC), including Japan, with a primary emphasis on marketing IoT services, with a key focus on promoting the '1NCE IoT Flat Rate.'
• In April 2024, Google announced that it would invest USD 1 billion to improve digital connectivity between the United States and Japan through two new subsea cables, Proa and Taihei, to boost ties between the two countries. The two subsea cables are expected to improve connectivity between the United States, Japan, and multiple Pacific island countries and territories.
• Rising investments toward smart city development are expected to significantly contribute to creating a smart residential infrastructure. For instance, in March 2023, the Japanese government announced the launch of a program of smart city investment for fiscal 2023 and further announced the inclusion of smart city-related business as a part of the "Strategic Innovation Promotion Programme (SIP) Phase 2/Cyberspace infrastructure technology/architecture construction as well as demonstration research using big data and AI."

Japan Smart Home Market Trends

Rising Focus Toward Energy Efficiency is Driving the Market

• Following the Fukushima disaster in 2011 and Japan's subsequent costly reliance on imported fossil fuels, the nation implemented policies to boost its use of renewable energy. These policies also emphasized energy efficiency and conservation, crucial for Japan's energy security.
• This commitment is evident in Japan's robust ETI scores for regulation and political dedication. For context, Japan ranked 27th out of 120 countries in the 2023 ETI, maintaining consistent scores for system performance and transition readiness over the past decade. Notably, Japan's Sixth Strategic Energy Plan, unveiled in October 2021, aims for renewables to make up 36-38% of its energy mix by 2030.
• Fast forward to March 2024, Japan pledged JPY 90.1 million to bolster the APEC region's energy efficiency and low-carbon initiatives. This funding, channeled through the APEC Energy Working Group, explicitly targets the sub-fund energy efficiency, low carbon, and energy resiliency measures. Its goal is to bolster sustainable growth, enhance energy security, and broaden energy access across various sectors.
• Adding to this momentum, Japan's land ministry unveiled plans in 2023 to reintroduce a subsidy program. This initiative aims to assist families with young children and newlyweds in constructing energy-efficient homes, especially in the face of escalating real estate prices.
• Under this program, households with a child under 18 or a married couple, where either partner is under 39, can receive a JPY 1 million subsidy. This is contingent on building a new house that meets the stringent criteria of a net zero energy house (ZEH). These initiatives collectively underscore Japan's growing emphasis on energy efficiency, boding well for the country's smart home market.

Smart Appliances to Hold Significant Market Share

• The surge in smart homes in Japan can be primarily attributed to the dominance of major domestic electronics manufacturers, who have a strong foothold in the global market. These Japanese smart home firms are at the forefront of innovation, crafting sophisticated automation solutions. Their expertise lies in developing systems that intelligently manage lighting, heating, security, and various appliances, all through smart devices and IoT technology.
• Japan boasts a lineup of top-tier smart home players, including Panasonic, Sony, Toshiba, Hitachi, and Mitsubishi Electric. It is worth highlighting that Japan stands out as the home to every major camera brand, such as Canon, Nikon, Fujifilm, Pentax, Sigma, and Olympus. This camera industry dominance can be traced back to the decline of Germany's camera sector during wartime, Japan's rapid economic recovery, and its robust post-war intellectual property standards.
• Furthermore, Japan's historical prowess in TV manufacturing, bolstered by the presence of industry giants' headquarters, has laid a strong foundation. These companies have not only introduced a diverse range of smart home offerings but have tailored them to meet the demands of today's homeowners, enhancing convenience, safety, and comfort, thereby propelling Japan's smart home market.
• In a significant move in July 2023, Toshiba unveiled its latest innovation, the 'Toshiba 4K Mini LED Smart TV M650,' setting new benchmarks in visual excellence. This cutting-edge TV boasts a host of connectivity features, including HDMI, Bluetooth audio, dual-band Wi-Fi, and USB ports. It is equipped with multiple voice assistant options, such as Alexa, VIDAA, and Google Assistant.
• In June 2023, Quectel Wireless Solutions, an IoT solutions provider, launched its latest Quectel FCM360W Wi-Fi and Bluetooth module. This module combines a high-performance processor with Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1 capabilities.

Japan Smart Home Industry Overview

The Japanese smart home market is fragmented. The market is highly concentrated due to the presence of various small and large players. All the major players account for a significant market share and focus on expanding the consumer base. Some of the critical players in the market are Schneider Electric SE, Emerson Electric Corporation, ABB Ltd, Honewell International Inc., and Siemens AG. Companies are increasing their market share by forming multiple collaborations, partnerships, and acquisitions and investing in introducing new products to earn a competitive edge during the forecast period.

• May 2024: Qsee announced its global expansion into the dynamic Japanese market. Owing to Japan's booming economy and tech-savvy populace, the company has an ideal platform to introduce a range of smart home solutions tailored to meet the diverse needs of consumers and businesses alike.
• February 2024: Aqara announced the debut of its Amazon brand store in Japan, which will provide a diverse range of cutting-edge smart home devices on the Amazon Marketplace.

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