In Japan, digital cameras were once considered indispensable household items. However, the scenario has shifted drastically in recent years, largely due to the impact of smartphones.
According to a survey by the Japanese Cabinet Office at the end of 2023, only 48.6% of households owned digital cameras. This marks the first instance since 2004 that the ownership percentage has dipped below 50%. Compact cameras, in particular, are bearing the brunt of this decline. The graphical representation below illustrates the declining adoption rate of digital cameras in Japan over the years, in contrast to the rising adoption of smartphones.
Trade-offs for Accessibility
Over time, the advancement of smartphone camera systems, along with easy internet access and the ability to share images on social media, has influenced people’s choice for their imaging needs. Moreover, the computational photography features of smartphones make capturing good photos effortless. Notably, the camera systems in recent flagship smartphones like the Xiaomi 14 Ultra and the Oppo Find X7 Ultra stand out.
Additionally, the superior qualities of images taken by dedicated cameras often require a trained eye to appreciate.
Industry Impact
The Japan International Camera and Imaging Products Association (CIPA) has also confirmed the decline in digital camera adoption. Data shows that shipments have plummeted from 11.11 million units in 2008 to just 910,000 units currently. This trend affects not only camera manufacturers but also the country’s overall competitiveness in this sector.
Japan’s home appliance industry is also feeling the pinch of competition. According to the Home Appliances Association, the production of goods in Japan has steadily decreased over the past decade, from 7.7 trillion yen in 2000 to 3.8 trillion yen in 2022.
Trade Imbalance
The value of Japan’s imports of video recording and playback equipment has reportedly surpassed the value of its exports. In 2023, the trade balance revealed that Japan imported 72.5 billion yen more of this equipment than it exported.
