Structural Changes in Demand for Paper Media and Contraction of Japan’s Paper and Pulp Market
First written in FY2016. 19 of 33 entries say "Restated". Latest entry: FY2026.
Kpp Group Holdings moved to the "Worse" side of this theme in 2020, 3 years before the typical company in this theme (2023).
The whole theme swung hardest in 2020: 6 of 13 companies on the "Worse" side.
10 other companies' latest entry also says "Restated".
- FY2026RestatedAnnual report
「Demand for graphic paper declined worldwide, and prices also fell in some regions, including Europe and China, through the second half of 2025.」
The decline in demand for graphic paper driven by digitalisation continued worldwide, and prices also fell in Europe and China. Expansion into packaging and other areas is cited as one response. - 2026-05-14WorsenedEarnings
「The paper business recorded lower net sales and gross profit because demand for graphic paper declined worldwide and prices also fell in some regions, including Europe and China, through the second half of 2025.」
The decline in demand for graphic paper was reported as lower sales and earnings across regions worldwide. - FY2026-H1WorsenedAnnual report
「In Japan's paper segment, sales volume fell below the previous year due to declining demand for graphic paper, and both revenue and profit fell below the previous year.」
The structural decline in demand for graphic paper continues, reflected not only in lower sales volume but also in revenue and profit falling below the previous year. - FY2025WorsenedAnnual report
「In information media, the shift from paper to electronic formats is progressing, particularly in developed countries, and declining demand for newspapers, magazines, catalogues and forms is driving structural reform in the industry. Although some areas of packaging paper, such as beverage applications, remain firm, overall demand has remained sluggish.」
In addition to the structural decline in demand for graphic paper, the filing notes that overall demand for packaging paper, previously described as firm, has also remained sluggish. - FY2025-H1RestatedAnnual report
「In Japan's paper segment, sales volume fell below the previous year due to the structural decline in demand for graphic paper, resulting in lower revenue and profit. In China, amid sluggish demand for paper and paperboard due to the economic downturn, market conditions weakened as new large-scale machines were added in succession, and both sales volume and revenue fell below the previous year.」
The structural decline in domestic demand for graphic paper continued, while in China the filing noted weaker market conditions due to the economic downturn and expanded production capacity. - FY2024WorsenedAnnual report
「The shift from paper to electronic media is accelerating, particularly in developed countries, and demand for paper, namely graphic paper, continues to decline. Meanwhile, demand for packaging paper, which had been regarded as firm, has also remained sluggish as higher prices have prompted consumers to refrain from purchasing goods generally. …」
In addition to the structural decline in demand for graphic paper, the filing notes that demand for packaging paper, previously described as firm, has also remained sluggish. - FY2024-Q3RestatedAnnual report
「In Japan, demand for graphic paper continued to decline in the paper segment and volume fell below the previous year, but revenue increased following price revisions. In the paperboard segment, sales volume of containerboard fell below the previous year due to lower exports, restrained consumer spending, a decline in food packaging and the shift to simpler packaging.」
The structural decline in demand for graphic paper continued, and sales volume of containerboard, which had traditionally remained firm, also fell below the previous year. Differences in demand by grade, including paperboard for folding cartons and premium paperboard, remain. - FY2024-Q2RestatedAnnual report
「In Japan, demand for graphic paper continued to decline and volume fell below the previous year, but revenue in the paper segment increased following price revisions. Sales volume of containerboard fell below the previous year.」
The structural decline in demand for graphic paper and the year-on-year decline in sales volume continue. Sales volume of containerboard also fell below the previous year, with declines continuing in certain grades amid diverging demand. - FY2024-Q1RestatedAnnual report
「In Japan, revenue increased following price revisions in the paper segment, but volume fell below the previous year due to the structural decline in demand for graphic paper.」
The structural decline in demand for graphic paper and the year-on-year decline in sales volume continue. Although price revisions have contributed to higher revenue, there is no indication of a new change in the underlying contraction in demand. - FY2023-Q3WorsenedAnnual report
「In the paper segment, although the economy is on a gradual recovery trend, graphic paper remained below pre-COVID levels and volume fell further below the previous year.」
Graphic paper sales volume continues to fall further below the previous year and remains below pre-COVID levels. The structural contraction in demand for paper-based media is worsening. - FY2023-Q1RestatedAnnual report
「During the first quarter of the fiscal year, there was some inventory-led demand for certain printing and communication papers following price revisions, but the recovery in demand was limited. Demand for book and comic-book applications also remained sluggish, and sales volume fell below the previous year.」
The recovery in paper demand remains limited, and sales volume, including book and comic-book applications, continues to fall below the previous year. By contrast, paperboard for e-commerce and beverage packaging materials remains firm, and demand continues to diverge by product. - FY2022Demand has recovered slightly but remains below pre-COVID levelsAnnual report
「Domestic demand for paper and paperboard recovered slightly year on year, but remained only marginally higher, and did not recover to pre-COVID levels.」
Demand for paper and paperboard recovered slightly from the previous year but has not returned to pre-COVID levels, and the structural contraction in demand and weak recovery continue. - FY2022-Q3RestatedAnnual report
「Some recovery in demand was seen for paper, particularly graphic paper used in catalogues and flyers, but the effect was limited. Demand for paperboard for packaging recovered slightly as the number of people moving around increased following the lifting of the state of emergency and other restrictions.」
Demand for paper and paperboard showed some recovery, but the effect of the recovery in paper demand was limited, and demand contraction and weak recovery continued. - FY2022-Q2Recovery in demand remains limitedAnnual report
「Sales volumes recovered substantially year on year, particularly for graphic paper used in catalogues and flyers, but the recovery was limited by the reissuance of the state of emergency declaration in July. Sales of paperboard for packaging declined substantially last year due to requests to refrain from going out and the cancellation of events to prevent the spread of COVID-19. They showed signs of recovery in the first half of the current fiscal year, but the recovery remained limited because people continued to refrain from going out while the state of emergency was in effect.」
Although paper and paperboard sales volumes recovered year on year, the company explains that the recovery was limited by the reissuance of the state of emergency declaration and continued restraint on going out. - FY2022-Q1Recovered year on year but not yet back to pre-COVID levelsAnnual report
「For paper, the previous year's corresponding period was the period most severely affected by the declaration of a state of emergency, and sales volumes recovered substantially year on year, particularly for graphic paper. Sales to the book and comics markets also remained firm, but overall sales have not recovered to the levels seen before the spread of COVID-19.」
The company presents both sides of the picture: sales volumes of graphic paper and other products recovered substantially year on year, but have not returned to pre-COVID levels. - FY2021WorsenedAnnual report
「Domestic demand for paper and paperboard has remained negative since 2011, but in the current fiscal year, which was affected by COVID-19, the pace of decline accelerated and the decline was greater than immediately after the Lehman shock.」
The company explains that declining demand for paper and paperboard has continued since 2011, and that the pace and magnitude of the decline increased further in the current fiscal year due to COVID-19. - FY2021-Q3RestatedAnnual report
「The decline in printing paper demand caused by the progress of digitisation and other factors could not be offset, and sales volumes and sales fell below the previous year's levels. For paperboard, corrugated containerboard for beverage packaging and other products remained firm, as in the previous fiscal year, but demand for white paperboard used for souvenir confectionery boxes and other products declined substantially due to the disappearance of inbound tourism demand. Sales volumes and sales consequently fell below the previous year's levels.」
In addition to declining demand for printing paper, demand for white paperboard also declined despite previously strong paperboard demand, causing sales volumes and sales for both paper and paperboard to fall below the previous year's levels. Demand contraction continues. - FY2021-Q2WorsenedAnnual report
「In the domestic paper and pulp industry, paper sales volumes declined as flyers and other demand fell due to requests to refrain from going out and the cancellation of events, while the expansion of telework reduced office demand. Paperboard sales volumes also declined. Stay-at-home consumption resulting from requests to refrain from going out provided some support, but this was offset by stagnant economic activity and lower fruit and vegetable harvests caused by natural disasters.」
In addition to the paper demand that had been trending downward, specific factors contributing to lower demand emerged, including telework, requests to refrain from going out and event cancellations. Paperboard sales volumes also declined due to stagnant economic activity and natural disasters, and contraction continued for both paper and paperboard. - FY2020-Q3RestatedAnnual report
「In the domestic paper and pulp industry, magazines, flyers and catalogues remained weak as sluggish personal consumption following the reaction to the consumption tax increase and the ongoing shift to electronic media continued, causing paper volumes to decline. Paperboard volumes also declined due to the impact of US-China trade tensions and weaker inbound tourism demand.」
In addition to declining paper demand, the company also reports a continued decline in paperboard demand from the previous quarter, indicating continued contraction in demand for both paper and paperboard. - FY2020-Q2RestatedAnnual report
「In the domestic paper and pulp industry, paper volumes declined due to population decline resulting from the falling birth rate and the spread of electronic media accompanying ICT adoption. Paperboard volumes also declined due to the impact of US-China trade tensions and weaker inbound tourism demand.」
In addition to declining paper demand, paperboard, which had previously been described as trending upward, also saw volumes decline against the backdrop of US-China trade tensions and weaker inbound tourism demand. Demand contraction continues. - FY2020-Q1WorsenedAnnual report
「In the paper and pulp industry, further acceleration of digitisation in IT and advertising has caused magazines, flyers and catalogues in particular to remain weak, and paper demand declined year on year. Paperboard demand also declined year on year as beverages and fruit and vegetables were affected by adverse weather.」
In addition to the paper demand that had previously been declining, paperboard demand, which had been described as being on an upward trend, also declined year on year, broadening the impact of shrinking demand. - FY2019RestatedAnnual report
「Further acceleration of digitisation in IT and advertising has caused magazines, flyers and catalogues in particular to remain weak, and printing paper consumption has continued to fall below the previous year's level. For paperboard, moves toward reduced and simplified packaging have emerged as companies cut costs, but demand has increased from the previous year due in part to higher demand for corrugated containers accompanying the expansion of the e-commerce market.」
The divergence in demand, with printing paper demand declining and paperboard demand increasing against the backdrop of e-commerce, has been reconfirmed. - FY2019-Q3RestatedAnnual report
「In the domestic paper and pulp industry, paper demand is trending downward as population decline, the ageing population and the digitisation of publications and advertising continue. Paperboard demand is trending upward, supported by expansion of the e-commerce market.」
The company continues to report divergent demand trends, with paper demand declining and paperboard demand increasing against the backdrop of the e-commerce market. - FY2019-Q2RestatedAnnual report
「In the domestic paper and pulp industry, paper demand declined from the previous year due to population decline, the ageing population and the impact of digitisation, particularly in information and advertising. Paperboard demand increased from the previous year, as growth in online shopping provided support despite earthquakes and torrential rain materially affecting shipments of fruit and vegetables.」
Demand continues to diverge, with paper demand declining against the backdrop of population decline, the ageing population and digitisation, while paperboard demand increases against the backdrop of online shopping. - FY2019-Q1RestatedAnnual report
「In the paper and pulp industry, demographic changes and ICT-driven paperless operations have accelerated the move away from paper for publications, flyers and advertising, causing paper demand to decline year on year. Paperboard demand increased year on year, supported by expanding e-commerce demand.」
The divergence in demand, with paper demand declining and paperboard demand increasing, continues. The risk section states that there have been no material changes to the risks described for the previous fiscal year. - FY2018RestatedAnnual report
「In the domestic paper and pulp industry, printing paper consumption has continued to fall below the previous year's level due to structural changes from population decline and the ageing population, together with the shift from publications and advertising to electronic media. In contrast, paperboard increased from the previous year as expansion of the e-commerce market drove demand for corrugated containers.」
The divergence in demand has been reconfirmed, with printing paper demand continuing to decline while paperboard demand increases against the backdrop of e-commerce. - FY2018-Q3RestatedAnnual report
「Paper demand is trending downward as population decline, the ageing population and the shift from publications and advertising to electronic media continue. For paperboard, efforts to rationalise packaging, such as reducing the weight of corrugated containerboard, continue, but demand is trending upward, supported by the expanding e-commerce market.」
The downward trend in paper demand against the backdrop of population decline, the ageing population and the shift to electronic media continues. In contrast, paperboard demand continues to trend upward against the backdrop of the e-commerce market, showing divergent demand trends. - FY2018-Q2RestatedAnnual report
「In the domestic paper and pulp industry, paper demand, particularly for printing paper, declined from the previous year due to structural changes in demand from the declining birth rate and ageing population and the shift to ICT. Paperboard, however, performed well compared with the previous year as the e-commerce market expanded.」
While demand for paper, particularly printing paper, continues to decline, paperboard demand remains strong against the backdrop of e-commerce and mail-order markets, indicating continued divergence by paper type. - FY2018-Q1WorsenedAnnual report
「In the paper and pulp industry, demographic changes and ICT-driven paperless operations have accelerated the move away from paper for publications, flyers and advertising, causing paper demand to decline year on year. Paperboard demand, however, increased year on year, supported by growth in processed food and e-commerce markets.」
The company describes the move away from paper, particularly for publications, flyers and advertising, as having accelerated, with paper demand continuing to decline year on year. In addition, sales in the domestic paper, pulp and other wholesale business declined 2.4% year on year. In contrast, paperboard demand increased year on year against the backdrop of processed food and e-commerce markets, indicating divergent demand trends. - FY2017-Q3RestatedAnnual report
「The domestic paper and pulp industry continues to see declining demand as population decline, the ageing population and the shift from publications and advertising to electronic media continue.」
The company continues to report a downward trend in domestic paper demand against the backdrop of population decline, the ageing population and the shift to electronic media. - FY2017-Q2RestatedAnnual report
「In the domestic paper and pulp industry, paper consumption has continued to fall below the previous year's level due to the declining birth rate and ageing population, population decline, and the spread of electronic media through ICT adoption.」
The company continues to report paper demand below the previous year's level. There is no new wording that further strengthens the previous quarter's description of an accelerating move away from paper. - FY2017-Q1WorsenedAnnual report
「In the paper and pulp industry, changes in population demographics and the shift toward paperless operations driven by ICT have accelerated the move away from paper for publications, flyers and advertising, causing paper demand to decline year on year.」
Against the backdrop of demographic change and ICT-driven paperless operations, the company describes the move away from paper for publications, flyers and advertising as having accelerated and reports a year-on-year decline in paper demand. - FY2016First statedAnnual report
「Diversification and digitisation of media, including the spread of smartphones, together with the declining birth rate and ageing population, have changed the demand structure. Newspaper and publishing markets and paper-based advertising have declined, and consumption of printing paper has continued to fall below the previous year's level. The domestic market is expected to continue shrinking due to population decline, paperless operations and other factors.」
The current-period business explanation states that printing paper consumption and sales volumes and value fell below the previous year's levels, while the risk section indicates that the market is expected to shrink going forward.