In recent years, the plastics mold industry has seen a decline in annual output, with the annual demand for molds dropping to approximately 410 billion yen. Experts believe that the Japanese mold industry has reached a point where reform is indispensable.
Japan's plastic mold production capacity accounts for about 40% of the global market. However, after reaching its peak of 1.87 trillion yen in output in 2000, it has been on a decline. It's not uncommon for mold factories to be eliminated in the downturn, leading to a significant reduction in manufacturers, workforce, and business scale. Compared to the peak, the number of manufacturers has decreased by approximately 8.5%, the workforce by about 30%, and the output has declined by around 11%. Additionally, with the large-scale development of the plastic mold industry in other Asian countries and regions, as well as the enhancement of cost and technological competitiveness, Japanese mold prices have dropped by approximately 20%.
In China, the output value of plastic molds amounts to 642.8 billion yen, accounting for approximately 38.8% of the total mold output value. Plastic molds are applied in various industries, and their development has been rapid, especially in the fast-growing information technology industry in recent years. However, it fails to reverse the declining trend of the mold industry. Major clients in industries like automotive and semiconductor have shifted overseas, compelling Japan's mold industry to shift its business focus abroad as well. Factors such as the high-techification of technology and increasingly stringent quality requirements have further exacerbated the challenges faced by Japan's plastic mold industry.
To overcome this predicament, experts suggest focusing not only on high-precision processing technology but also on differentiating from general molds.
A surge of capable and high-quality plastic mold companies has emerged domestically. Products like anti-static containers, plastic pallets, and plastic boxes, all plastic items, are experiencing a rise in quality without the exorbitant prices of imports, making domestic brands more appealing to consumers.
