Current Situation in the Japan Wholesaling Segment

Stable Supply of Paper and Paperboard & the Maintenance of Market Conditions

In the Japan Wholesaling segment, demand for paper and paperboard, which are our mainstay products, has declined markedly, as the spread of COVID-19 restricted socio-economic activities due to people refraining from going outdoors and an increase in people working from home. Demand for newspaper insert flyers, and pamphlets and posters associated with the holding of events and the like has also declined sharply. Sales of containerboard for general consumer goods, particularly related to e-commerce and processed foods, were robust, while sales for export products declined significantly. Going forward, demand for paper will not be able to avoid the effects of the shrinking market caused by a declining population and the shift to digitalization and paperless systems in society.

Revised paper and paperboard prices are currently being maintained in this segment, which has been an important achievement in terms of prioritizing profitability and efficiency rather than sales volume and market share in the future. Furthermore, in recent years the problem of plastic marine garbage has resulted in a reevaluation of paper’s low environmental impact, and a reconsideration of the new values and roles of papers, including its warmth as a material and the sense of well-being it provides. The Group recognizes the values of paper in this way and will continue to take on the challenge of creating new value while doing its utmost to ensure a stable supply of paper and the maintenance of market conditions.

As a coordinator

We listen to customers' needs and provide a total coordination service from product selection and development to delivery, and by devising and carrying through with our own ideas we create new business.

As a distributor (for manufacturers of paper and other products)

As a distributor for all paper manufacturers as well as manufacturers of other selected products, we procure products best suited to respond to market needs and also provide the market with a stable supply of publications, catalogues packaging and a wide range of other daily commodities and industrial goods.

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