Statistics for the robotics industry in JapanJapan Robot Association (JARA)

Citation

(2008), "Statistics for the robotics industry in JapanJapan Robot Association (JARA)", Industrial Robot, Vol. 35 No. 6. https://doi.org/10.1108/ir.2008.04935fab.002

Statistics for the robotics industry in JapanJapan Robot Association (JARA)

Article Type: News From: Industrial Robot: An International Journal, Volume 35, Issue 6

In 2007, the Japanese economy experienced generally flat consumer spending and a gradual recovery in capital investment. Exports increased, primarily of general machine products. As a result, the GDP was up 2.1 per cent over the previous year.

Accordingly, based on the statistics for JARA members in accordance with IFR Statistical categories, the results for the robot industry in Japan were driven largely by the increase in exports. Domestic demand also recovered, with the result that 2007 set record highs in terms of both orders received and units manufactured and exported. Figure 2 shows order, production and shipment figures for the years 2004-2007 inclusive.

Figure 2 Orders, production and shipments

Orders

In contrast to 2006, in which negative growth (−5.6 per cent) was recorded, in 2007 orders received increased to 76,669 units, an 8.2 per cent increase over the previous year, higher than even the 2005 figures.

Production

As in the case of orders received, production improved from the negative growth of 2006 to an increase of 9.7 per cent (75,253 units). Production came to JPY ¥303.7 billion (a 7.9 per cent increase over the previous year).

Shipments

Exports improved from the negative growth of the previous year to an increase of 10.8 per cent (75,279 units).

Breakdown of shipments

Of the total number of 75,279 units, domestic shipments accounted for 32,732 units (up 4.0 per cent over the previous year) and exports accounted for 42,547 units (up 16.6 per cent over the previous year).

Domestic shipments

In terms of demand sector (see Table I and Figure 3), units for the automobile industry (automobiles and automobile components) have accounted for 50-60 per cent of total domestic shipments. However, the figures this year were down from the previous year, as were those in 2006. Nevertheless, as a result of the recovery in the machinery, electronics, plastics and other industries, products for these industries registered 4 per cent growth over the previous year. Overall, however, domestic shipments have not recovered to 2005 levels.

Figure 3 Percentage of units shipped by use

Breakdown of exports

In terms of the number of units exported, products for spot welding head the list at 9,512 units, followed by those for arc welding (9,033), with material handling (8,292) rounding out the top three. By region, North America was the major destination for products, followed by Asia and Europe in that order. The percentage of products shipped to Europe has been gradually increasing in recent years. Another characteristic of product destinations is that a high proportion of the units shipped to Asia are for clean room use (particularly FPD). Moreover, of the products shipped to China, the proportion of products for arc and spot welding has grown steadily along with the growth of the automobile industry in that country. In contrast, many of the products shipped to North America and Europe are for automobile welding and material handling. Europe also has a higher percentage of products for assembly use than other regions.