Japan Paper and Paperboard Demand Falls Below 20 Million Tons in 2026

Japan Paper Manufacturers Association's "2026 Domestic Demand Outlook Report for Paper and Paperboard" forecasts total demand at 19.985 million tons. This represents a 2.7% drop from 2024 projections and continues five straight years of decline. It marks the first sub-20 million ton level since statistics began in 1988. From 2000's peak of 31.97 million tons, demand has fallen slightly over 60%.​

Printing paper (newsprint, printed info paper) demand projects at 5.92 million tons, down 6.8% from 2024 forecast. Though decline eases, severity persists: newsprint -9.4%, uncoated printing -5.6%, coated printing -4.9%, info paper -5.9% year-on-year.​

Packaging paper forecasts 11.96 million tons, -1.0% year-on-year for fourth straight year. At 90%+ of 2019 levels but 80% of 1997 peak (14.86 million tons). Sub-types: packaging paper -2.0%, corrugated board -0.8%, white cardboard -2.0%. Household paper hits 2.1 million tons, +0.1% for potential third record high.