According to production statistics released by the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), the production of disposable diapers during January-June 2019 decreased by 5.3% in weight year-on-year to 413,195 tons. In quantity, production declined by 5.8% to 11,097.77 million.
As a result of declining birth rates and a lull in inbound demand, the production of disposable diapers for babies sharply decreased, while that of disposable diapers for adults increased due to an aging society.
First-half production of disposable diapers for adults increased by 3.6% in weight to 196,840 tons, and by 4.0% in quantity to 4,231.72 million. Meanwhile, the production of disposable diapers for babies posted double-digit decreases, with production in terms of weight falling 12.1% to 216,355 tons and that in terms of quantity by 11.1% to 6,777.05 million.