The Current State and Features of the Japanese Watch Market

 
PIIS032150750022731-6-1
DOI10.31857/S032150750022731-6
Publication type Article
Status Published
Authors
Occupation: Senior Researcher, All-Russia Market Research Institute
Affiliation: All-Russia Market Research Institute
Address: Russian Federation, Moscow
Journal nameAsia and Africa Today
EditionIssue 10
Pages57-64
Abstract

The article presents a brief historical background to the formation period of the Japanese watch industry and provides the most important statistical data characterizing its current state.

The corporate structure of the Japan watch industry is represented by three giant companies: “Seiko”, “Citizen” and “Casio”. The article shows what place the watch business occupies in the overall sales structure of these companies, highlights the features of their production and sales strategy, lists the most important financial indicators, outlines the main measures taken in connection with a sharp deterioration of the market situation amid pandemic.

Back at the end of the 20th century, Japanese watch companies transferred the bulk of their enterprises to the countries of Southeast Asia with a cheaper labour force. At the same time, the production of technically complex wristwatches, requiring qualified personnel, remained mainly in Japan. It was this primordially Japanese production that became the basis for the gradual transition of Japanese watch products to the elite segment of the market, although manufacturing companies are solving the issue of such a transition by various methods.

In the final part of the article, the approximate capacity of the Japanese wrist watch market is calculated, based on data from international sources, the role of imports in meeting domestic demand is assessed, and some of its features in Japan are also indicated.

KeywordsJapan, wrist watches, watch industry, watch companies, market, export, import, distribution channels
Received18.05.2022
Publication date11.11.2022
Number of characters27734
Cite  
100 rub.
When subscribing to an article or issue, the user can download PDF, evaluate the publication or contact the author. Need to register.

Number of purchasers: 0, views: 286

Readers community rating: votes 0

1. The Swiss and World Watchmaking Industries in 2019, p. 6. https://www.fhs.swiss/file/59/Watchmaking_2019.pdf (accessed 01.08.2021)

2. Industrial Commodity Statistics Yearbook 2016. Vol. 1, p. 562. UN Statistics Division. https://unstats.un.org/unsd/industry/ Docs/ICSY_2016_v1.pdf (accessed 01.08.2021)

3. The Japanese Watch and Clock Industry in 2020. An Overview on its Global Operation. Japan Clock and Watch Association. https://www.jcwa.or.jp/en/data/industry/index.html (aсcessed 02.08.2021)

4. ”Watches the Guide”. The leading players in the global watchmaking industry in 2018 - Vontobel Equity Research. https://www.watchestheguide.com/en/guide/economy (accessed 03.08.2021)

5. Seiko Consolidated Financial Statements for the Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2020, pp. 3-4. https://www.seiko.co.jp/ en/ir/2020/05/25/e_fstaFY2019.pdf; Seiko Consolidated Financial Statements for the Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2021, pp. 5-6. https://www.seiko.co.jp/en/ir/2021/05/18/763637781bd7459648dcaf93b20b6acb357b5351.pdf (accessed 04.08.2021)

6. “Citizen” Annual Report 2020, pp. 12, 13, 16, 17. https://www.citizen.co.jp/global/files/AR2020.pdf (accessed 05.08.2021)

7. “Casio” Integrated Report 2020, p. 7. https://world.casio.com/media/files/ir/annual/Integrated_2020_s_en.pdf (accessed 06.08. 2021)

8. Pierre Yves Donze: “From Nation-based to Global Competition in the Watch Industry” - Kyoto University, March 2014, p. 26.

9. “РБК Daily”, 28.09.2012.

10. Interview: Watchonista Sits Down with Seiko President Shuji Takahashi, 18.04.2018. https://www.watchonista.com/articles/interviews/interview-watchonista-sits-down-seiko-president-shuji-takahashi (accessed 07.08.2021)

11. R.-J. Broer: One Company - Three Brands: Seiko, Grand Seiko, Credor - Chrono24 Magazine, 03.05.2018. https://www.chrono24.com/magazine/one-company-three-brands-seiko-grand-seiko-credor-p_26453/#gref (accessed 08.08.2021)

12. R. Farago: Seiko Credor or Grand Seiko, 15.01.2020. https://thetruthaboutwatches.com/2020/01/seiko-credor-vs-grand-seiko (accessed 08.08.2021)

13. C.Greitler, L. Du: With luxury push, Japan gives Swiss watch-making industry a run for its money, 16.03.2018. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2018/03/16/business/corporate-business (accessed 09.08.2021)

14. R.Takahashi: Japanese watch companies bide their time for comebacks - “The Asahi Shimbun”, July 6, 2020. http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/13485837 (accessed 10.08.2021)

15. UN ComTrade. International Trade Statistics Database. https://comtrade.un.org (accessed 13.08.2021)

16. Retail value of the domestic watches market in Japan from 2010 to 2019 with a forecast for 2020. https://www.statista.com/statistics/694782/japan-domestic-watches-market-size (accessed 17.08.2021)

17. Domestic Watch Market in Japan: Key Research Findings 2019. https://www.yanoresearch.com/en/press-release/show/press_id/ 2403 (accessed 17.08.2021)

18. Luxury wrist watch consumers in Japan aspire to purchase as of 2016, by brand. https://www.statista.com/statistics/741011/japan-luxury-watches-consumers-want-to-buy-by-brand (accessed 20.08.2021)

19. H.Masayuki: The Unique Japanese Watch Market - Chrono24 Magazine, 12.07.2020. https://www.chrono24.com/magazine/the-unique-japanese-watch-market-p_72071/#gref (accessed 20.08.2021)

Система Orphus

Loading...
Up