According to the latest statistics released by the Japan Electronics Packaging Circuits Association (JPCA), the output of printed circuit boards (PCBs) in Japan, including rigid PCBs, flexible PCBs, and module substrates, in March 2023 decreased by 13.0% from the same period last year to 901,000 square meters and has been declining for 14 consecutive months. The revenue dropped sharply by 14.4% to JPY 50.874 billion, which has been declining for five consecutive months and has reached the largest decrease in nearly six and a half years (18.3% since October 2016).

In terms of category, the output of printed circuit boards (PCBs) in Japan for March 2023 showed a decline in rigid PCBs, with output dropping by 13.5% to 728,000 square meters, marking the 13th consecutive month of decline. The revenue also decreased sharply by 22.4% to JPY 30.774 billion, which has been declining for seven consecutive months. On the other hand, flexible PCBs showed growth for the first time in three months, with output growing by 3.2% to 129,000 square meters. However, the revenue decreased by 2.4% to JPY 2.467 billion, which has been declining for five consecutive months. Meanwhile, module substrates continued to show a decline, with output dropping sharply by 36.3% to 44,000 square meters, marking the 10th consecutive month of decline. Despite this, the revenue grew by 2.0% to JPY 17.633 billion, marking the second consecutive month of growth..

Looking at the first quarter of 2023, the output of PCBs in Japan decreased by 12.3% from the same period last year to 2.54 million square meters, and the revenue decreased by 10.6% to JPY 149.886 billion. Among them, the output of rigid PCBs decreased by 10.9% to 2.098 million square meters, and the revenue decreased by 16.8% to JPY 89.764 billion. Similarly, the output of flexible PCBs decreased by 6.2% to 326,000 square meters, and the revenue decreased by 7.7% to JPY 6.944 billion. However, the output of module substrates dropped sharply by 40.0% to 116,000 square meters, while the revenue grew by 1.6% to JPY 53.178 billion.

Major PCB suppliers in Japan include Ibiden, CMK, Nippon Mektron (a subsidiary of NOK), Fujikura, Meiko Electronics, and others.The following is the news about them from PCB UNION:

● Ibiden : Financial Result of FY 2022 and New Mid-term Management Plan

● NOK Plans to Establish New Semiconductor FPC Production Base in North America