The Japan pharmacy retail market size reached USD 114.26 Billion in 2024. Looking forward, IMARC Group expects the market to reach USD 185.63 Billion by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 5.54% during 2025-2033. The aging population with increasing chronic conditions, a shift towards home healthcare and digital services, government support through national insurance programs, and technological advancements in automation and online sales are among the key factors contributing to the market expansion.
Report Attribute
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Key Statistics
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Base Year
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2024
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Forecast Years
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2025-2033
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Historical Years
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2019-2024
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Market Size in 2024 | USD 114.26 Billion |
Market Forecast in 2033 | USD 185.63 Billion |
Market Growth Rate 2025-2033 | 5.54% |
Aging Population and Increase in Chronic Conditions
A major growth driver of Japan’s pharmacy retail market is the country’s rapidly aging population, one of the fastest-aging globally. As of 2023, over 28% of Japan’s population was aged 65 or older, and this figure is expected to exceed 30% by 2025. This demographic shift is significantly increasing demand for healthcare services and pharmacy-related products. According to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, a growing share of adults aged 65 and above in Japan suffer from chronic conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases, leading to a steady rise in prescription medication needs. Elderly consumers increasingly depend on pharmacies not only for prescriptions but also for over-the-counter drugs, wellness products, health consultations, and preventive care. Supporting this trend is Japan’s robust National Health Insurance (NHI) system, which covered over 96% of the population in 2023, making healthcare, including pharmacy services, both accessible and affordable. Retail pharmacies are evolving into comprehensive health management hubs, offering home delivery, medication counseling, and advanced pharmaceutical care tailored to the needs of aging consumers.
Technological Advancements and E-Pharmacy Growth
Technological advancements and the rise of e-pharmacies are also reshaping Japan’s pharmacy retail market, driving substantial growth. In recent years, Japanese consumers have increasingly turned to digital platforms, including online pharmacies and health apps, to access medications and healthcare services more conveniently. This digital shift, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has seen more consumers opting for remote consultations and ordering prescription drugs and over the counter (OTC) products online. Japan’s e-pharmacy market size reached USD 6.4 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 20.5 billion by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 12.4% during 2025-2033, driven by innovations in digital health technologies and growing consumer demand for convenience. E-pharmacies enable consumers to order medications from home, receive digital prescriptions, and access telemedicine consultations. Government support for digital health services, including the introduction of digital prescriptions and online consultations in 2023, has further fueled this transition. Additionally, automation and robotics in physical pharmacies, such as automated dispensing systems and robot-assisted operations, have improved service speed and accuracy, reduced wait times, and enhanced customer satisfaction.
IMARC Group provides an analysis of the key trends in each segment of the market, along with forecasts at the region/country level for 2025-2033. Our report has categorized the market based on market structure, product type, therapeutic area, drug type, and pharmacy location.
Market Structure Insights:
The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the market structure. This includes unorganized and organized.
Product Type Insights:
A detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the product type have also been provided in the report. This includes over-the-counter products, prescribed drugs, non-pharmaceutical products, and medical equipment.
Therapeutic Area Insights:
The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the therapeutic area. This includes cardiovascular, pain relief/analgesics, vitamins/minerals/nutrients, anti-infective, anti-diabetic, and others.
Drug Type Insights:
A detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the drug type have also been provided in the report. This includes generic and patented.
Pharmacy Location Insights:
The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the pharmacy location. This includes street/mall based and hospital based.
Regional Insights:
The report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of all the major regional markets, which include Kanto Region, Kansai/Kinki Region, Central/Chubu Region, Kyushu-Okinawa Region, Tohoku Region, Chugoku Region, Hokkaido Region, and Shikoku Region.
The market research report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of the competitive landscape. Competitive analysis such as market structure, key player positioning, top winning strategies, competitive dashboard, and company evaluation quadrant has been covered in the report. Also, detailed profiles of all major companies have been provided.
Report Features | Details |
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Base Year of the Analysis | 2024 |
Historical Period | 2019-2024 |
Forecast Period | 2025-2033 |
Units | Billion USD |
Scope of the Report |
Exploration of Historical Trends and Market Outlook, Industry Catalysts and Challenges, Segment-Wise Historical and Future Market Assessment:
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Market Structures Covered | Unorganized, Organized |
Product Types Covered | Over-the-Counter Products, Prescribed Drugs, Non-Pharmaceutical Products, Medical Equipment |
Therapeutic Areas Covered | Cardiovascular, Pain Relief/Analgesics, Vitamins/Minerals/Nutrients, Anti-Infective, Anti-Diabetic, Others |
Drug Types Covered | Generic, Patented |
Pharmacy Locations Covered | Street/Mall Based, Hospital Based |
Regions Covered | Kanto Region, Kansai/Kinki Region, Central/Chubu Region, Kyushu-Okinawa Region, Tohoku Region, Chugoku Region, Hokkaido Region, Shikoku Region |
Customization Scope | 10% Free Customization |
Post-Sale Analyst Support | 10-12 Weeks |
Delivery Format | PDF and Excel through Email (We can also provide the editable version of the report in PPT/Word format on special request) |
Key Questions Answered in This Report:
Key Benefits for Stakeholders: