Japan Augmented Reality in Healthcare Market Assessment, By Component, By Product, By Device Type, By Application, By End-user, By Region, Opportunities and Forecast, FY2018-FY2032F

Japan augmented reality in healthcare market is projected to witness a CAGR of 27.03% during the forecast period FY2025-FY2032, growing from USD 185.83 million in FY2024 to USD 1,260.01 million in FY2032. The growth of the market is supported by the expansion of the aging population, new launches in Japan, high acceptance of novel technologies, and increasing investments towards the healthcare sector.

Due to the rapid expansion of the aging population in the country, the requirement for innovative healthcare solutions and technologies is increasing to reinforce sustainability and quality in healthcare. To support healthcare startups and study different measures and approaches to promote them, a project team was established in February 2024. The team is also responsible for publishing various policy proposals that are essential for supporting the growth of healthcare startups in the country.

Additionally, the easy acceptance of new technologies is bolstering the growth of the Japan augmented reality in healthcare market. Moreover, the country believes in testing new technologies to effectively serve the population in emergency situations. In August 2022, emergency medical technicians (EMTs) under the jurisdiction of the Shunto Izu Fire Department used and wore Vuzix M400 smart glasses while addressing critically ill patients. The introduction aimed to effectively perform AR pre-examinations and read ECGs and vital sign data while the patient was enroute to the hospital. Such efforts and trials are expected to enhance the understanding of the various advantages and applications of AR solutions in healthcare settings and bolster the market's expansion.

Novel Launches by Medical Device Companies Boost Market Growth

The rising efforts of different medical device companies in Japan to increase the availability of AR devices are providing lucrative growth opportunities to the market. In November 2023, MediThinQ Co., Ltd, a medical wearable company, announced the launch of their medical AR displaying device in Japan in partnership with Medtronic plc. The device, known as Scopeye, allows the wearer to wirelessly view high-resolution 2D and 3D images, increasing the accuracy of the procedures. The device is compatible with a wide range of imaging medical devices, endoscopes, and medical navigation systems and eliminates the requirement for additional software installations. Such introductions are expected to improve surgical outcomes by improving the efficiency of the surgeons and treatment outcomes. AR has showcased the potential to transform different types of diagnostic and treatment solutions and alter the way care is provided to patients. The growing awareness about the potential of AR in enhancing the healthcare sector, coupled with the easy acceptance of novel technologies in the country, is further supporting the launch of new devices in Japan.

Increasing Research Activities Support Market Expansion

Due to the growing awareness about the different advantages associated with AR in medical training and treatments, various research institutes across the country are increasingly focusing on investigating and evaluating the efficacy and safety of AR in different healthcare settings. In December 2023, a study was published in the Japan Journal of Nursing Science that investigated the possibility of deploying an AR simulation tool for nursing education. The study compared the learning outcomes of traditional training mannequins and the AR-based endotracheal aspiration simulation tool and also aimed to identify improvements and potential applications of the tool. The tool was rated suitable as a self-learning material by the students and could be deployed for basic nursing education as per the faculty members. Such studies are expected to allow the development of AR tools that aid in enhancing medical training and positively influence the market's expansion.

Surgery Visualization Holds Significant Share

The growing adoption of AR technologies for the visualization of surgeries across the country supports the market's expansion. This growth can be attributed to the high acceptance rate of new technologies in the country and rising awareness about their different advantages, including improved precision and patient comfort. In February 2023, Medacta International announced that the first surgery had been successfully performed by the augmented reality surgical platform called NextAR in Japan. The platform provides personalized AR solutions for spine procedures and joint replacement and leverages real-time and patient-specific data for complementing operative workflow. With the help of augmented reality, compact single-use tracking systems, and advanced 3D planning tools, the platform enables decision-making that is data-driven, aiding surgeons in performing personalized procedures that are based on the unique biomechanics and anatomy of every patient. The insights are displayed on the operative field through the NextAR smart glasses, providing surgeons with enhanced control and visualization during the procedures. The increased insights aid in improving patient outcomes as they provide more precision.

Hospitals and Clinics Hold Dominance in Japan Augmented Reality in Healthcare Market

The adoption of novel technologies by different hospitals and clinics is expected to provide lucrative growth opportunities to the market. The growing popularity and increasing construction of smart hospitals in the country are further expected to bolster Japan's augmented reality in healthcare market demand. The increasing efforts to upgrade hospitals in the country to improve the quality of care provided to the patients, coupled with the adoption of new technologies, is expected to provide lucrative growth opportunities to the market. The different advantages associated with the incorporation of AR technologies in hospitals and clinics include better diagnosis and treatment, improved surgical assistance, enhanced medical training, and remote patient consultation, among others.

Future Market Scenario (FY2025-FY2032F)

As per Japan augmented reality in healthcare market analysis, the market is expected to witness significant growth in the coming years owing to the growing burden on the healthcare sector due to the expansion of the aging population. According to estimates from the National Institute of Population and Social Security Research, approximately 34.8% of the population will be 65 or older by 2040. This growth is expected to propel the demand for AR solutions in healthcare as they aid in improving patient convenience by eliminating the requirement for frequent visits to physicians. Moreover, the older population is more susceptible to diseases and injuries, further augmenting the requirement for technologically advanced diagnostic and treatment solutions and providing lucrative growth opportunities to the market. With the decline in population growth and decreasing fertility rate, increasing emphasis is being placed on the development and introduction of devices and technologies that are easy to operate and do not require external inputs. The National Institute of Population and Social Security Research also projects that the country's population will decrease by 30%.

Key Players Landscape and Outlook

The growth of Japan augmented reality in healthcare market is supported by the increasing efforts of the key market players to roll out their AR solutions in the country. In October 2022, Koninklijke Philips N.V. announced the rollout of their AR surgical navigation solution in Japan. ClarifEye showcased positive results in the first set of patients who underwent treatment at the International University of Health and Welfare, Tokyo. The hospital deployed the surgical navigation solution to ensure the provision of minimally invasive surgeries to the aging population of Japan. The surgical navigation solution successfully treated patients with scoliosis and spinal stenosis with the help of minimally invasive image-guided procedures. The rising cases of spine-related issues because of the expansion of the aging population are expected to bolster the requirement for such solutions in Japan and provide lucrative growth opportunities to the market.