KUCHING: Malaysia has been a key supplier to the expanding Japanese furniture market worth about US$23 million in 2024, and this is projected to grow and reach US$26.32 million by 2032.
“The Japanese furniture market is a mature and sophisticated sector influenced by the country’s unique cultural heritage, urban living conditions, and a strong emphasis on quality and design.
“Japan’s aging population is a significant driver of furniture trends, particularly for products that cater to the needs of older adults. Ergonomic and functional furniture designed to support mobility and comfort is in high demand.
“The high level of urbanisation in Japan has led to an increase in smaller living spaces. This drives the demand for space-saving, multifunctional, and compact furniture,” according to the International Tropical Timber Organisation (ITTO) Tropical Timber Market Report (September 16-30, 2025).
In Japan, home furniture accounts for the largest market share, driven by rising disposable incomes and a focus on home interiors. Office furniture demand is growing steadily due to increasing demand for ergonomic and functional workstations.
Hospitality furniture is expected to expand with the growing tourism industry.
In July 2025, data from the Japanese Finance Ministry revealed that Malaysia was the second-largest supplier of wooden office furniture (HS940330), worth about RM548,797 (9 per cent) out of the RM6.21 million Japan paid for overall imports from various countries.
For the month under review, China took the bulk, accounting for 79 per cent worth RM4.91 million of Japan’s total imports.
However, China’s exports to Japan had fallen from 90 per cent in June 2025. Turkey was the third-largest supplier, with exports to Japan worth RM268,000. The three top suppliers accounted for more than 92 per cent of Japan’s total imports.
The value of July imports from Indonesia and the United States was significantly higher than in June, while imports from Italy and Vietnam in July were around the same levels month-on-month.
For wooden kitchen furniture (HS940030), Malaysia was a small supplier, with shipments worth RM752,325 in July, out of Japan’s total imports valued at RM46.9 million. The Philippines was the top supplier, with exports worth RM25.1 million (53 per cent) to Japan, followed by Vietnam at RM11.6 million (25 per cent). July arrivals from the Philippines and Vietnam were up month-on-month.
“Year-on-year, there was a 10 per cent rise in the value of wooden kitchen furniture, and there was a significant rise in the value of July imports compared to a month earlier,” said the report.
In July, Japan continued to reduce imports of wooden bedroom furniture (HS940350), with the value of imports down five per cent from the previous month to RM64.53 million, and down 16 per cent from the peak recorded in February 2025.
Top supplier China accounted for 64 per cent of Japan’s total imports in July, worth RM41.1 million, followed by Vietnam at RM18.74 million (29 per cent). Malaysia maintained a share of imports at 2.5 per cent, worth RM1.55 million, down from four per cent in June. The other main sources of Japan’s imports were Indonesia, Italy, and Poland.
Year-on-year, Japan reported an 18 per cent decline in the import value of wooden bedroom furniture in July.
In July 2025, Japan’s import bill for wooden furniture parts (HS940391) stood at RM56.22 million, down 12 per cent from July 2024, and lower by four per cent from June 2025.
Shippers from China, Indonesia, and Vietnam accounted for about 76 per cent of Japan’s total imports for the month under review, with China delivering RM25.54 million (46 per cent) (June: 41 per cent), Indonesia RM10.12 million (18 per cent) (June: 19 per cent), and Vietnam RM6.82 million (12 per cent) (June: 11 per cent). Malaysia ranked fourth with supplies worth RM4.1 million.
Japan also imported more wooden furniture parts from Italy, Germany, and Hungary but reduced shipments from Taiwan and South Korea in July.
Meanwhile, it was reported that Japan’s house prices are soaring as land prices have risen for the fourth consecutive year, coupled with rising construction costs, which have pushed up real estate prices.
A government survey has shown that construction costs have jumped by about 30 per cent over the past five years. Low-interest rates and the weak yen have spurred real estate transactions by affluent individuals and foreign investors, which has exacerbated the supply-demand imbalance. Home prices continue to rise despite the increase in vacant homes and the declining population.
