Market Background

Rubber Belt Production Falls Below 30,000 Tons—First Time in 5 Years

Japanese rubber belt production in 2015 was around 29,000 tons, marking a 6-percent year-on-year drop to below the 30,000-ton level for the first time in five years, according to statistics compiled by the Japan Belting Manufacturers' Association. Domestic demand held to only a small three-percent decline, but export demand decreased steeply by 15 percent.

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JRMA Forecast: Rubber Consumption to See Increase—First Bounce in 5 Years

Rubber consumption will see its first annual increase in five years, according to a forecast by the Japan Rubber Manufacturers Association (JRMA). The combined total consumption volume of natural and synthetic rubber in 2016 is expected to amount to 1.3414 million tons, up 0.8 percent from the previous year. See a breakdown of the figures by major product category below.

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Rubber Industry Forecast ’16 (Part 4)—Internet Sales’ Impact Remains Small

Trading Companies Part 2—Although many trading firms focus on domestic demand, a generational change has been under way recently, resulting in an increase in younger managers. Merchants of this new generation have begun setting their sights not just within the country but overseas as well. They are also eager to explore new markets and develop new technologies and products.

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Rubber Industry Forecast ’16 (Part 3)—One-Third of Traders Expect Stagnation

Trading Companies Part 1—A recent survey of trading companies in Japan conducted by Japan Rubber Weekly found that about 70 percent of respondents saw tough times ahead in 2016. The survey of 330 trading companies in Japan received 203 responses (62 percent response rate). Trading companies play a crucial role in Japan’s distribution.

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Rubber Industry Forecast ’16 (Part 2)—50% of Manufacturers Expect Higher Sales

Manufacturers Part 2—Under 1 percent of respondents answered that they expect "double-digit growth" for "forecast (planned) 2016 net sales," while roughly half the companies, or 48 percent, forecast "single-digit growth." A total of only 14 percent of respondents forecast either "single-digit" or "double-digit" declines in revenues.

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Rubber Industry Forecast ’16 (Part 1)—Manufacturers Expect Stable or Better Performance

Manufacturers Part 1—A recent survey conducted by Japan Rubber Weekly found that over half of respondents, or 54 percent, expect the rubber industry's performance to remain "stable" in 2016, while 23 percent believe it will be "somewhat better" or "better." Meanwhile, 21 percent responded that it will be "somewhat worse" or "worse."

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