Japan Waste Management Market

Japan Waste Management Market Insights Forecasts to 2035

• The Japan Waste Management Market Size Was Estimated at USD 73.5 Billion in 2024
• The Market Size is Expected to Grow at a CAGR of Around 5.85% from 2025 to 2035
• The Japan Waste Management Market Size is Expected to Reach USD 137.4 Billion by 2035

According to a research report published by Spherical Insights & Consulting, The Japan waste management Market size is anticipated to reach USD 137.4 Billion by 2035, growing at a CAGR of 5.85% from 2025 to 2035. The waste management market in Japan is driven by strict environmental laws, urbanization, circular economy policies, increased waste production, improvements in recycling technology, and government programs encouraging resource recovery and decreased landfill usage.

Market Overview

The waste management market is related to the collection, transportation, processing, recycling, treatment, and disposal of solid, liquid, and hazardous waste generated by households, businesses, industry, and municipalities. The waste management market includes technological processes, services, infrastructure, and policies that are designed to mitigate environmental impact, support resource recovery, and protect against threats to health and sustainability. Japan's waste management sector is expanding as the country transitions to a circular and low-carbon economy. Strict environmental restrictions, expanding industrial and municipal waste quantities, and a strong recycling culture all contribute to the increased need for efficient treatment options. In addition, government initiatives like the Plastic Resource Circulation policy and the Basic Act for Establishing a Sound Material-Cycle Society support and provide subsidies to develop digital waste management, waste-to-energy technologies, and recycling modernization. The adoption of newer technologies such as AI-based sorting and chemical recycling has also increased recently. The announcement of Japan's 2024 Circular Economy Policy Package will further create cross-ministerial action toward achieving recycling targets and the expansion of pilot chemical recycling schemes led by some of the country's largest corporations to enhance resource recovery.

Report Coverage

This research report categorizes the market for the Japan waste management market based on various segments and regions, and forecasts revenue growth and analyzes trends in each submarket. The report analyses the key growth drivers, opportunities, and challenges influencing the Japan waste management 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 waste management market.

Driving Factors

The waste management market in Japan is driven by regulations on the environment, increasing urbanization, and the rising generation of residential and commercial waste. Strong circular economy policies and 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) initiatives promote recycling and reuse of resources in all sectors. Investments and subsidies from local and national governments for modern treatment facilities, digital waste systems, and waste-to-energy facilities have increased market demand. Greater awareness around sustainability, ESG commitments from organizations, and limited landfill space call for more efficient recycling solutions, upgrading collection systems, and the invention of disposal tactics in Japan.

Restraining Factors

The waste management market in Japan is mostly constrained by high treatment and technology costs, labor shortages, limited landfill capacity, and supporting compliance with strict regulations. Public aversion to new waste facilities and changes in the price of recyclable materials is stalling investments in the sector and further public investment. Infrastructure disparities see advanced processing and recycling of waste being much slower in rural settings across the country.

Market Segmentation

The Japan waste management market share is classified into waste type and service type.

• The municipal waste 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 waste management market is segmented by waste type into municipal waste, medical waste, e-waste, and industrial waste. Among these, the municipal waste segment accounted for the largest revenue market share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. This dominance is fueled by Japan's dense urban population, high household consumption, and stringent municipal waste separation systems, which necessitate massive collection, sorting, recycling, and waste-to-energy infrastructure.

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

The Japan waste management market is segmented by service type into transportation, collection, and disposal. Among these, the collection segment accounted for the largest revenue share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. This is primarily due to sophisticated municipal collection systems, frequent residential and commercial garbage pickup, and strict source-separation laws, which necessitate additional operational resources.

Competitive Analysis:

The report offers the appropriate analysis of the key organizations/companies involved within the Japan waste management 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

• Daiseki Co., Ltd.
• DOWA Holdings Co., Ltd.
• Takeei Corporation
• Kobelco Eco?Solutions Co., Ltd.
• Shirai Group (Eco Center Co., Ltd.)
• Ebara Corporation
• Asahi Holdings, Inc.
• DAIEI KANKYO Co., Ltd.
• Midac Co., Ltd.
• Kaname Kogyo Co., Ltd.
• 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, Sysmex Corporation received a certification for its business plan, under the Plastic Resource Circulation Act, that enables the company to collect and recycle used plastic reagent containers from medical institutions across Japan, without having to obtain separate industrial waste licenses from every local government.
• In May 2025, GOMI Solutions Co., Ltd. introduced its “GOMIX” pyrolysis system for mixed waste that allows spent waste to be processed into reusable oil and charcoal, as opposed to incineration.
• In February 2025, the Japanese Cabinet approved amendments to the Act on the Promotion of Effective Utilization of Resources (the “Resources Act”), which requires producers and manufacturers to make plans and regularly report recycled-material use, while embedding environmentally sustainable design principles into their products.

Market Segment

This study forecasts revenue at the Japan, regional, and country levels from 2020 to 2035. Decision Advisor has segmented the Japan waste management market based on the below-mentioned segments:

Japan Waste Management Market, By Waste Type

• Municipal Waste
• Medical Waste
• E-Waste
• Industrial Waste

Japan Waste Management Market, By Service Type

• Transportation
• Collection
• Disposal

FAQ’s

Q: What is the Japan waste management market size?

A: Japan Waste Management market size is expected to grow from USD 73.5 billion in 2024 to USD 137.4 billion by 2035, growing at a CAGR of 5.85% during the forecast period 2025-2035. 

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

A: Market growth is driven by regulations on the environment, increasing urbanization, and the rising generation of residential and commercial waste. Strong circular economy policies and 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) initiatives promote recycling and reuse of resources in all sectors. Investments and subsidies from local and national governments for modern treatment facilities, digital waste systems, and waste-to-energy facilities have increased market demand.

Q: What factors restrain the Japan waste management market?

A: Constraints include high treatment and technology costs, labor shortages, limited landfill capacity, and supporting compliance with strict regulations. Public aversion to new waste facilities and changes in the price of recyclable materials is stalling investments in the sector and further public investment.

Q: How is the market segmented by service type?

A: The market is segmented into transportation, collection, and disposal.

Q: Who are the key players in the Japan waste management market?

A: Key companies include Daiseki Co., Ltd., DOWA Holdings Co., Ltd., Takeei Corporation, Kobelco Eco?Solutions Co., Ltd., Shirai Group (Eco Center Co., Ltd.), Ebara Corporation, Asahi Holdings, Inc., DAIEI KANKYO Co., Ltd., Midac Co., Ltd., and Kaname Kogyo Co., Ltd.

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).