Japan Sanitary Paper Shipments Surge amid Middle East Woes

Shipments of sanitary paper products in Japan, including toilet paper and tissue, increased 12.6% year on year to 188,000 tons in March, according to data released by the Japan Paper Association.

The March figure marks the first double-digit growth since February 2022, when shipments rose 11.0%, the association said.

The surge was driven by a sharp rise in demand in mid-March as distributors and households stockpiled supplies in response to geopolitical concerns. Toru Nozawa, chairman of Nippon Paper Industries and head of the association, said the increase was linked to heightened tensions in the Middle East, which triggered precautionary buying.

According to Nozawa, the wave of hoarding subsided toward the end of March, and supply conditions remain stable. He emphasized that there is no immediate risk of shortages and urged consumers to remain calm.

The situation echoes past episodes of panic buying in Japan, notably during the 1973 oil crisis, when fears of supply disruptions led to widespread hoarding of toilet paper and other essentials. Similar concerns resurfaced recently on social media, contributing to the temporary spike in demand.

The association indicated that, despite the short-term volatility, supply chains continue to function normally.