Japan's camera production rises for first time in 20 years — and social media is the reason

Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has released new statistics on domestic camera production, revealing how smartphones reshaped the industry over the past two decades. In 2006, one year before the first Apple iPhone launched, Japan produced approximately 37 million still cameras and 12 million video cameras. By 2024, total production had collapsed to just about 2 million units.

The decline of dedicated camcorders is particularly steep. METI notes that this is largely because mirrorless cameras, traditionally used for photography, now offer comprehensive video capabilities, making standalone video cameras redundant for most consumers.

However, the data shows a surprising turnaround. In 2024 and 2025, production volumes increased compared to the previous year — the first time in nearly 20 years that output has risen for two consecutive years. The chart accompanying the report reveals that single-lens reflex (SLR) cameras have practically disappeared from the market. In their place, mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras have gained significant traction. Even the compact camera segment, long considered dead, has been recovering since 2023.

METI attributes this growth primarily to a younger generation of customers. These buyers seek better photo and video quality for social media content than what even the best smartphones can deliver. The ministry's analysis suggests that the demand for dedicated cameras is no longer driven by professional photographers or enthusiasts alone, but by content creators who prioritize image quality for platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

The recovery, while modest compared to the industry's peak, marks a notable shift after nearly two decades of decline. It remains to be seen whether this trend will continue as smartphone cameras keep improving, but for now, Japanese camera makers are seeing a rare uptick in production.