eCommerce market in Japan

Japan is the 7th largest market for eCommerce with a predicted revenue of US$109,971.2 million by 2024, placing it ahead of Russia. Revenue is expected to show a compound annual growth rate (CAGR 2024-2028) of 4.1%, resulting in a projected market volume of US$129,224.1 million by 2028. With an expected increase of 5.4% in 2024, the Japanese eCommerce market contributed to the worldwide growth rate of 7.4% in 2024. Like in Japan, global eCommerce sales are expected to increase over the next years. Seven markets are considered by ECDB within the Japanese eCommerce market. Grocery is the largest market and accounts for 20.3% of the Japanese eCommerce revenue. It is followed by Electronics with 18.6%, Fashion with 17.9%, Hobby & Leisure with 17.7%, Furniture & Homeware with 16.7%, Care Products with 6.6%, and DIY with the remaining 2.3%.

Monthly revenues

Monthly revenues in the Japanese eCommerce market

The monthly eCommerce revenue of the Japanese eCommerce market was US$10,150 million in November 2024. This refers to a growth of -1.0% compared to October 2024. Within the last 12 months, the monthly revenue share was the highest in December 2023 with 9.8% of the total 2023 revenue of the Japanese eCommerce market and the lowest in February 2024 with 7.4% of the total 2024 revenue.

Revenue Last Month

US$10,150.2m

The eCommerce revenue fell by 1.0% from October 2024 to November 2024.

11-2024-1.0%

Monthly revenue shares in the last 12 months

in %
0-20241-20242-20243-20244-20245-20246-20247-20248-20249-202410-202411-2024
Revenue (in mUS$)0.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.0
Monthly revenue share (in %)91.615.848.758.411.485.483.784.988.831.676.561.3

Market development

eCommerce revenue development in Japan

Japan is the 7th largest market for eCommerce with a predicted revenue of US$109,971.2 million by 2024, placing it ahead of Russia. Revenue is expected to show a compound annual growth rate (CAGR 2024-2028) of 4.1%, resulting in a projected market volume of US$129,224.1 million by 2028. With an expected increase of 5.4% in 2024, the Japanese eCommerce market contributed to the worldwide growth rate of 7.4% in 2024. Like in Japan, global eCommerce sales are expected to increase over the next years. Seven markets are considered by ECDB within the Japanese eCommerce market. Grocery is the largest market and accounts for 20.3% of the Japanese eCommerce revenue. It is followed by Electronics with 18.6%, Fashion with 17.9%, Hobby & Leisure with 17.7%, Furniture & Homeware with 16.7%, Care Products with 6.6%, and DIY with the remaining 2.3%.

eCommerce revenue development in Japan

in million US$

eCommerce revenue growth in Japan

in %

Net eCommerce revenue split by sub-category

in %
20202021202220232024202520262027
Revenue (in mUS$)0.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.0
Growth (in %)91.496.583.396.219.865.782.016.4

Online share

eCommerce online share in Japan

The online share refers to the proportion of the retail volume that is transacted via the Internet. It includes purchases via desktop PC, tablet or smartphone, both via website or app. Only retail of physical goods is taken into account. In the Japanese retail market, the online share is 13.7% and will increase by an average of 8.6% to 19.0% by 2028.

eCommerce online share in Japan

in %
20202021202220232024202520262027
Online share (in %)66.8%11.0%16.0%72.9%58.9%78.7%80.0%74.9%

Top stores

Top five online stores in Japan by net sales 2023

The biggest player in the Japanese eCommerce market is amazon.co.jp. The store had a revenue of US$12,928.9 million in 2023. Store rankings include every store that generates revenue in Japan. These stores can either have a national focus and only sell in their main country or operate on a global scale. For this evaluation, only revenue created in Japan was considered.

eCommerce net sales generated in Japan in 2023

in million US$
Filtered revenue / share
Global revenue
Growth
US$900.0m
20.7%
US$8,300.0m8.3%
US$550.0m
12.0%
US$4,600.0m12.4%
US$470.0m
3.9%
US$1,190.0m33.6%
US$430.0m
20.6%
US$2,122.0m18.0%
US$370.0m
20.7%
US$1,814.0m12.6%

Payment Methods

Top 5 offered payment methods in the Japanese eCommerce market

With 95.6% VISA the most commonly offered payment method of all online stores in the Japanese eCommerce market in 2023. Like VISA the other most common offered payment methods are all Cards with Mastercard covering 95.5%, JCB covering 92.2%,American Express covering 88.9%, and Diners Club covering 75.6% of all online stores in the Japanese eCommerce market.

Top 5 offered payment methods in the Japanese eCommerce market

in %

See all stores offering


Shipping Service Provider

Top 5 offered shipping providers in the Japanese eCommerce market

Despite Yamato's dominant position with 57.5% of online stores opting for its services, the Japanese eCommerce market in 2023 remains diverse and competitive. Several other shipping service providers, including Sagawa Express, Japan Post, Seino Transportation, and EMS, hold smaller but significant shares, contributing to a dynamic and fragmented market.

Top 5 offered shipping providers in the Japanese eCommerce market

in %

Shop Software Solutions

Top 5 used shop software solutions in the Japanese eCommerce market

In the Japanese eCommerce market, there is intense competition among various shop software solutions, leading to a highly fragmented landscape in 2023. None of the major shop software solution, including Shopify, FutureShop, and MakeShop, have been able to secure a market share exceeding 14.4%, suggesting a diversified market with numerous players holding smaller stakes.

Top 5 used shop software solutions in the Japanese eCommerce market

in %