In 2025, Japan’s print publishing market dips below ¥1 trillion. Magazines face sharp declines, yet readers continue to favor and visit bookstores for paper books.

TOKYO, JAPAN (MERXWIRE) – The Japan Publishers Association and the Research Institute for Publications recently released the results of their 2025 (January to December) publishing market survey. The total size of Japan’s print and digital publishing market is projected to be 1.5462 trillion yen, a 1.6% decrease from the previous year, marking the fourth consecutive year of contraction. Notably, the print publishing market size fell below 1 trillion yen, dropping to 964.7 billion yen, the first time it has fallen below this threshold since 1976, drawing significant attention from the publishing and retail industries.

Print publishing sales are expected to drop 4.1% year on year. Book sales are projected at ¥593.9 billion, remaining largely flat from the previous year, supported by a series of bestsellers released in the second half of the year that lifted the annual repeat purchase rate to 31.9%. In contrast, the magazine sector continues to struggle, with sales falling 10% to ¥370.8 billion. Weekly magazines saw a particularly sharp decline of 17.9%, while cancellation rates exceeded 50% for the first time on record.

The owner of a long-established bookstore in Tokyo said the downturn in print media had been evident for some time.
“Magazines, especially weeklies, simply aren’t selling anymore,” the bookseller said. “Many longtime customers have canceled subscriptions and now read news on their phones. Books are different, though — when there’s a popular title or a novel adapted into a film, we still see a clear increase in customers coming to the store.”

Despite the shrinking market, some consumers continue to favor physical books. A Tokyo office worker browsing new releases at a bookstore said she still prefers buying printed books. “I use my phone every day, but when I really want to slow down and read, I choose paper books,” she said. “The feeling of turning pages is completely different. As long as bookstores exist, I’ll keep buying physical books.”

Meanwhile, Japan’s digital publishing market continues to grow. Digital publishing revenue is projected to rise 2.7% to ¥581.5 billion in 2025, led by digital comics, which account for the majority of sales. However, growth in digital comics has begun to slow, reflecting signs of market maturity. Industry analysts note that platforms are increasingly relying on discounts, reward points, and limited-time free campaigns to attract readers, intensifying competition.

Market analysts say the print publishing market’s fall below ¥1 trillion represents more than a numerical milestone. It highlights a long-term shift in Japan’s reading habits and media consumption. Whether print books can maintain their presence will depend on how bookstores, publishers, and readers redefine the value of physical books in an increasingly digital environment.