Japan is the world's largest manufacturer of industrial robots, accounting for 45% of global supply. In recent years, the production capacity of the country's robot suppliers has increased significantly: the export ratio rose to 78% in 2020, and the shipment of industrial robots reached 136,069 units.
Milton Guerry, President of the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), said: "Over the past five years, Japan's industrial robot exports have grown at a compound annual growth rate of 6%, while robot imports have been extremely low. In 2020, only 2% Japanese devices are imported. Japan’s domestic robot market is the second largest in the world after China.”
Japan's success in China
36% of Japan's robotics and automation technology exports go to China. Like other international robot suppliers, Japanese manufacturers serve the Chinese market directly from their factories in China. Those factories in the world's largest industrial robotics market have proven to be a big plus in 2020, when international supply chains were disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Japanese suppliers benefited across the board from China's boom in containing the outbreak.
bouncing back from the Covid-19 pandemic
The U.S. is another major market for Japanese robotics and automation technology exports with a 22 percent market share. Both the United States and China are expected to rebound further from the pandemic.
Dr Susanne Bieller, Secretary General of the International Federation of Robotics, said: “This year’s iREX exhibition in Tokyo will focus on ways to build a friendlier society through robots. iREX will showcase how robots can shape our daily lives, for example by enhancing the products we receive quality and availability, reduction of carbon emissions, health outcomes or care for the elderly.
