Japan Biodegradable Sanitary Napkins Market

Japan Biodegradable Sanitary Napkins Market Size Insights Forecasts to 2035

• The Japan Biodegradable Sanitary Napkins Market Size Was Estimated at USD 158.3 Million in 2024
• The Market Size is Expected to Grow at a CAGR of Around 19.14% from 2025 to 2035
• The Japan Biodegradable Sanitary Napkins Market Size is Expected to Reach USD 1086.9 Million by 2035

According to a Research Report Published by Decisions Advisors & Consulting, The Japan Biodegradable Sanitary Napkins Market Size is anticipated to Reach USD 1086.9 Million by 2035, Growing at a CAGR of 19.14% from 2025 to 2035. The biodegradable sanitary napkins market in Japan is driven by rising environmental awareness, demand for chemical-free and skin-friendly products, government support for sustainable practices, and increasing consumer preference for ethical, responsibly produced brands.

Market Overview

The market for biodegradable sanitary napkins includes environmentally friendly feminine hygiene products that offer a sustainable substitute for traditional disposable pads. These products are manufactured from natural, compostable, and non-plastic materials that disintegrate safely. Japan's market for biodegradable sanitary napkins continues to grow at a steady rate, driven largely by an increased awareness of environmental issues, greater demand for chemical-free products that do not irritate the skin, and the rapid growth of an increasing number of consumers switching to environmentally friendly feminine hygiene options. Japan has a solid policy foundation for the use of biodegradable sanitary napkins via the Plastic Resource Circulation Act.

The Act encourages the use of bioplastics and reduces the need for the consumption of single-use plastics. The Japanese Ministry of the Environment provides funding for the development of green materials and for reducing waste from sanitary napkins. There are also many new opportunities for companies that manufacture premium organic hygiene products due to the increased availability of these types of products through e-commerce sites and the formation of partnerships with companies focused on sustainability. Local manufacturers are developing plastic-free packaging, increasing retail accessibility to organic sanitary napkin products, and the commitment of manufacturers to invest in research and development towards increased biodegradability and improved consumer comfort.

Report Coverage

This research report categorizes the market for the Japan biodegradable sanitary napkins market based on various segments and regions, and forecasts revenue growth and analyses trends in each submarket. The report analyses the key growth drivers, opportunities, and challenges influencing the Japan biodegradable sanitary napkins market. Recent market developments and competitive strategies, such as expansion, product launch, development, partnership, merger, and acquisition, have been included to draw the competitive landscape in the market. The report strategically identifies and profiles the key market players and analyses their core competencies in each sub-segment of the Japan biodegradable sanitary napkins market.

Driving Factors

The biodegradable sanitary napkins market in Japan is driven by increased awareness of environmental issues, particularly plastic waste, and women's demand for items free of chemical or synthetic substances. Government support for waste management regulations, sustainable practices, and the creation of environmentally friendly production methods that satisfy consumer demands all contribute to this rising demand. Additionally, further driving the adoption of biodegradable sanitary pads is the technological development of more biodegradable substrates and improved absorption capacity with a greater skin-friendly formulation. The effort of NGOs and awareness campaigns focused on promoting environmentally sustainable menstrual hygiene has increased the number of consumers in Japan aware of biodegradable sanitary pads.

Restraining Factors

The biodegradable sanitary napkins market in Japan is mostly constrained by the high cost of production, limited access to raw materials, and the higher retail costs of biodegradable pads. Another challenge to market growth is the relatively low product awareness and limited access to bio-degradable pads in rural areas; the limited perception that they do not absorb as well as traditional pads also prevents widespread market adoption of bio-degradable sanitary pads in Japan.

Market Segmentation

The Japan biodegradable sanitary napkins market share is classified into material type and distribution channel.

• The cotton segment accounted for the largest revenue market share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. 

The Japan biodegradable sanitary napkins market is segmented by material type into bamboo-corn, cotton, banana fiber, and others. Among these, the cotton segment accounted for the largest revenue market share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. Because cotton is widely regarded for its skin-friendly, hypoallergenic, and extremely absorbent qualities, it leads the biodegradable sanitary napkins market in Japan. It is the recommended option due to its solid supply chain, widespread customer acceptability, and capacity to produce soft, cozy, and certified organic napkins.

• The online segment accounted for the largest revenue share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. 

The Japan biodegradable sanitary napkins market is segmented by distribution channel into supermarkets and hypermarkets, organic stores, pharmacies, online, and others. Among these, the online segment accounted for the largest revenue share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. The market is dominated by the online segment, which is fueled by Japan's high e-commerce penetration, convenient subscription-based purchases, extensive product selection, and consumers' inclination for discreet menstrual hygiene product purchases.

Competitive Analysis:

The report offers the appropriate analysis of the key organizations/companies involved within the Japan biodegradable sanitary napkins market, along with a comparative evaluation primarily based on their product offering, business overviews, geographic presence, enterprise strategies, segment market share, and SWOT analysis. The report also provides an elaborate analysis focusing on the current news and developments of the companies, which includes product development, innovations, joint ventures, partnerships, mergers & acquisitions, strategic alliances, and others. This allows for the evaluation of the overall competition within the market.

List of Key Companies

• Unicharm          
• Kao Corporation            
• Daio Paper Corporation
• Daiichieizai Co., Ltd.                     
• Cotton Labo
• Others

Key Target Audience

• Market Players
• Investors
• End-users
• Government Authorities 
• Consulting and Research Firm
• Venture capitalists
• Value-Added Resellers (VARs)

Recent Developments:

• In June 2025, Kao released the "Kao Sustainability Report" for 2025, which showed a 24% year-over-year (YoY) rise in sales of eco-performing goods, demonstrating the rising demand for eco-friendly personal care products.
• In June 2024, Kao launched "Sofy Hadaomoi ORGANIC", a new line of sanitary pads, containing paper packaging, made with organic cotton, which helps continue Kao's focus on developing sustainable products.

Market Segment

This study forecasts revenue at the Japan, regional, and country levels from 2020 to 2035. Decisions Advisors has segmented the Japan biodegradable sanitary napkins market based on the below-mentioned segments:

Japan Biodegradable Sanitary Napkins Market, By Material Type

• Bamboo-Corn
• Cotton
• Banana Fiber
• Others

Japan Biodegradable Sanitary Napkins Market, By Distribution Channel

• Supermarkets and Hypermarkets
• Organic Stores
• Pharmacies
• Online
• Others

FAQ’s

Q: What is the Japan biodegradable sanitary napkins market size?

A: Japan biodegradable sanitary napkins market size is expected to grow from USD 158.3 million in 2024 to USD 1086.9 million by 2035, growing at a CAGR of 19.14% during the forecast period 2025-2035. 

Q: What are the key growth drivers of the market?

A: Market growth is driven by increased awareness of environmental issues, particularly plastic waste, and women's demand for items free of chemical or synthetic substances. Government support for waste management regulations, sustainable practices, and the creation of environmentally friendly production methods that satisfy consumer demands all contribute to this rising demand. Additionally, further driving the adoption of biodegradable sanitary pads is the technological development of more biodegradable substrates and improved absorption capacity with a greater skin-friendly formulation.

Q: What factors restrain the Japan biodegradable sanitary napkins market?

A: Constraints include the high cost of production, limited access to raw materials, and the higher retail costs of biodegradable pads. Another challenge to market growth is the relatively low product awareness and limited access to bio-degradable pads in rural areas; the limited perception that they do not absorb as well as traditional pads also prevents widespread market adoption of bio-degradable sanitary pads in Japan.

Q: How is the market segmented by material type?

A: The market is segmented into bamboo-corn, cotton, banana fiber, and others.

Q: Who are the key players in the Japan biodegradable sanitary napkins market?

A: Key companies include Unicharm, Kao Corporation, Daio Paper Corporation, Daiichieizai Co., Ltd., and Cotton Labo, and Others.

Q: Who are the target audiences for this market report?

A: The report targets market players, investors, end-users, government authorities, consulting and research firms, venture capitalists, and value-added resellers (VARs).