The Japanese printed circuit board (PCB) industry is experiencing a prolonged period of contraction, with the latest statistics from the Japan Electronics Packaging Circuits Association (JPCA) revealing a continuous decrease in both production volume and value. For the month of April 2024, Japan's PCB production volume, which includes rigid, flexible, and module substrates, saw a 6.2% year-over-year decrease to 741,000 square meters, the 27th consecutive month of decline.

The production value also fell, by 3.1% to 43.808 billion yen, marking the 18th consecutive month of decline. However, this reduction is the smallest in 18 months, since October 2022, with the decrease being in single digits for two consecutive months.

Looking at the cumulative figures for the first four months of 2024, Japan's PCB production volume has decreased by 12.3% year-over-year to 2.921 million square meters, while the production value has seen a 10.8% decline to 173.992 billion yen.

Among the major PCB suppliers in Japan are notable companies such as Ibiden, CMK, Nippon Mektron (a subsidiary of NOK), Fujikura, and Meiko Electronics. Despite the overall industry downturn, these companies continue to be significant players in the global PCB market, adapting to changing market conditions and technological advancements.