Japan, leaders in new product launches
As the second biggest packaging market in the world, Japan's innovative reputation is increased by having one of the highest rates of new product launches in the world.
The country is the world's fourth largest product launcher (behind the USA, the UK and France) with around 14,000 new products appearing on the country's supermarket shelves in the last twelve months, according to Mintel's Global New Products Database.
Japan has shown movement in the types of packaging being used with colour cosmetics dominating the new product launches. Flexible packaging is the current leader, with around 27% of new packs - a rise from around 20% in the first half of 2008. Cases are also becoming proportionally more prominent. Boxes have fallen behind.
TOP 10 PACKAGING TYPES
1 Flexible 3,872
2 Bottle 2,585
3 Case 2,426
4 Box 1,643
5 Tub 1,613
6 Can 657
7 Tube 427
8 Carton 381
9 Blister card 150
10 Blister pack 132
