Alexandru Arba
Research expert covering Japan
Battery industry in Japan - statistics & facts
Japan has played a prominent role in the battery industry for decades, stepping up as one of the global innovators and leaders. The fact that some of Japan's most well-known brands internationally, such as Panasonic, and Toshiba, are heavily invested in the battery business is testament to the healthy position Japanese companies enjoy in this industry. Two of the most contested industry segments of the battery industry include automobile batteries, and stationary energy storage systems. Japanese companies have especially excelled in the mobility segment, with GS Yuasa, and Panasonic being able to secure a strong position despite stiff international competition. Panasonic, for instance, has been a long-term supplier of vehicle batteries for Tesla.
While Japan's battery production volume has remained relatively stable over the past decade, the production value almost doubled during the same period. This is the result of, among other factors, a gradual shift toward rechargeable batteries, which are pricier to produce, but also more profitable to sell.
Leading Japanese companies in this segment, such as NEC Corporation, Mitsubishi Electric, and Toshiba, among others, have contributed to the growing availability and spread of state-of-the-art stationary energy storage systems. As humanity's energy concerns are likely to exacerbate in the near future, Japanese industry leaders are positioned in a fine spot to step up to the challenge of solving one of today's most-pressing issues.
Japan - a major battery producer
Japanese manufacturers produce a broad range of batteries, such as non-rechargeable batteries based on alkaline, lithium, and silver-oxide chemical compounds, as well as rechargeable batteries based on lithium-ion, and lead-acid technologies, among others. Japan produced around four billion batteries per year in the past several years – about 35 batteries per person living in the country. Japanese battery factories produce far more batteries than its native population could consume. Hence, most batteries produced in Japan are slated for export. The vast majority of export value is generated by secondary (rechargeable) batteries that run on lithium-ion technology, followed by nickel-metal hydrides.While Japan's battery production volume has remained relatively stable over the past decade, the production value almost doubled during the same period. This is the result of, among other factors, a gradual shift toward rechargeable batteries, which are pricier to produce, but also more profitable to sell.
Green tech contributions
As the world is striving towards carbon neutrality, technologies that feature renewable energy have taken the center stage, with batteries playing a crucial role in this development. Ambitions towards decarbonization combined with an increasing demand for energy in the world have created a problem that acts as a catalyst for certain segments of the battery industry. Next to the automobile battery segment, the stationary energy storage system segment is also very prominent. Since the energy supply from renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, often fluctuates and is unreliable, battery systems that can convert efficiently and store energy for consumption during hours of no energy production are more needed than ever.Leading Japanese companies in this segment, such as NEC Corporation, Mitsubishi Electric, and Toshiba, among others, have contributed to the growing availability and spread of state-of-the-art stationary energy storage systems. As humanity's energy concerns are likely to exacerbate in the near future, Japanese industry leaders are positioned in a fine spot to step up to the challenge of solving one of today's most-pressing issues.
