According to data released by Japanese research firm MM Research Institute on the 10th, domestic mobile phone shipments in Japan, including smartphones, totaled 12.89 million units from April to September, a 9.2% decrease year-on-year. High memory chip prices pushed up terminal device prices, leading to a decline in demand. This is the first decline in mobile phone shipments in Japan during the same period in three years, and the second lowest level since fiscal year 2000, second only to 2023. Breaking it down, smartphone shipments decreased by 9.6% to 12.52 million units, while feature phones (i.e., flip phones) increased by 7% to 370,000 units.
MM Research Institute predicts that total shipments for fiscal year 2026 will decrease by 11.8% to 28.45 million units. From there until fiscal year 2030, shipments are expected to hover between 26 million and 28 million units. Increased global demand for and development competition in AI has led to high memory chip prices, forcing terminal device manufacturers to raise prices. MM Research Institute's analysis states: "The pricing of new models in 2027 may rise further, and a V-shaped market recovery is unlikely. Related companies are facing a test of their ability to adapt to the new situation."
