Japan Nuclear Imaging Market Size, Share, and COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Modality (Position Emission Tomography, Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography), By Application (Cardiology, Oncology), and Japan Nuclear Imaging Market Insights, Industry Trend, Forecasts to 2035

Japan Nuclear Imaging Market Insights Forecasts to 2035

• The Japan Nuclear Imaging Market Size Was Estimated at USD 593 Million in 2024
• The Market Size is Expected to Grow at a CAGR of around 6.64% from 2025 to 2035
• The Japan Nuclear Imaging Market Size is Expected to Reach USD 1203 Million by 2035

According to a research report published by Spherical Insights & Consulting, the Japan Nuclear Imaging Market Size is anticipated to reach USD 1203 Million by 2035, Growing at a CAGR of 6.64% from 2025 to 2035. Factors such as the rising prevalence of chronic diseases like cancer and cardiovascular disorders that require advanced diagnostics for imaging is contributing to growth in the nuclear imaging market in Japan.  The market growth is driven by technological advancements in hybrid imaging modalities such as PET/CT and SPECT/CT which provide higher accuracy and resolution.

Market Overview

The nuclear imaging market consists of products and services for imaging the human body as it applies nuclear tracers. The nuclear imaging market will continue to grow, particularly due to three dominant factors; technological advances, aging population, chronic disease. In addition to these drivers, growth in nuclear imaging is supported by government programs that promote early diagnosis, the adoption of hybrid imaging systems, and R&D expenditures. The increasing prevalence of similar chronic conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer, requires nuclear imaging but also more advanced diagnostic devices.

In addition, Japan has an large aging population which further creates demand for nuclear imaging services, particularly for chronic diseases and diseases associated with aging. Many new radiotracers and advancements in imaging technology refer to the evolution of PET and SPECT imaging modalities, as they improve the effectiveness and efficiency of diagnosis. Leading companies in the nuclear imaging market have increasing market opportunities as advances in technology, especially in nuclear imaging, primarily hybrid imaging technologies (PET/CT, SPECT/CT) continues to develop. Players have new opportunities as new radiopharmaceuticals are developed and diffused to market that possess safer imaging features and more targeted delivery.

The Japanese government's objectives for the nuclear imaging market grant increasing healthcare infrastructure, stimulate innovation, and streamline regulatory processes. This includes government spending on sophisticated imaging technologies, equipment, and facilities, efforts to stimulate research and development Also relevant is Japan Health 2025, an effort to transform health care worldwide with a focus on medical innovation and technology with a focus on elevating Japan's health care system to the global standard, and linking it to the global system.

Report Coverage

This research report categorizes the market for the Japan nuclear imaging 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 nuclear imaging market. Recent market developments and competitive strategies such as expansion, product launch, and 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 nuclear imaging market.

Driving Factors

The primary driving factor for market growth is an aging population and disease burden. The nuclear imaging market is originally gaining momentum, as the aging population increases there is an increase in age-related illness, such as cancer, cardiology, and neurological. Accordingly, nuclear imaging is an important method of effectively identifying and treating disease, which increases market growth potential. Thus, improvement in imaging modalities across the board (e.g. single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), positron emission tomography (PET), and others), leads to improved accuracy, resolution and efficiency of nuclear imaging systems. These enhancements improve patient outcomes, increase market growth potential by identifying and diagnosing disease at earlier stages. The nuclear imaging market in Japan is significantly supported by government programs and regulations that support early disease identification and enhancement in healthcare infrastructure. The growing usage of hybrid imaging is producing a positive image for the marketplace, creating mixtures of nuclear medicine and other imaging. Furthermore, with cancer on the rise, oncology is an important application of nuclear medicine imaging. Other uses include cardiology, neurology, and specialized imaging for many diseases, which further drives the market growth.

Restraining Factors

The restraint on market development is largely due to the high costs of nuclear imaging systems, particularly the costs of the PET scanners, which typically have significant fixed and ongoing variable costs associated with the installation and operation of the scanners. Some providers, such as primary care setting or small hospital setting, resource-limited facilities and rural settings, might be constrained by high system costs. The inefficiencies, delays in delivering patient care, limited access to imaging quality due to technologies being viewed as leading edge diagnostic procedures, are all considerations affecting the development of the nuclear imaging market. Nuclear imaging is complex and specialized, and it requires qualified professionals to handle sophisticated imaging systems, report on the results, and safeguard patients during procedures. The patient cohort requiring imaging is constantly increasing and the demand for qualified professionals exceeds the number of qualified professionals entering the market.

Market Segmentation

The Japan nuclear imaging market share is classified into modality and application.

• The single photon emission computed tomography segment held the largest share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period.

The Japan nuclear imaging market is segmented by modality into position emission tomography, single photon emission computed tomography. Among these, the single photon emission computed tomography segment held the largest share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. Cost of SPECT modalities and equipment is an important driver of segment growth. SPECT scanners tend to be less expensive to install and utilize than PET scanners, leading to increased access to information and clinical decisions in a variety of healthcare environments. Due to cost differences, healthcare settings are increasingly capable of accessing more SPECT technology, especially in hospitals and clinics with lesser resource funding. Cost differences can also lead to clear advantages of SPECT imaging over PET in many diagnostic procedures because SPECT modalities utilize different radiotracers and imaging agents.

• The cardiology segment held the largest share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period.

The Japan nuclear imaging market is segmented by application into cardiology, oncology. Among these, the cardiology segment held the largest share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. The increasing cancer prevalence and the emergence of advanced nuclear imaging methods have added to the industry's growth due to their exceptional ability to comprehensively investigate the molecular characteristics associated with cancer. These imaging methods, in addition, contribute to the ongoing research in oncology. By providing information regarding the tumor's behavior and metabolism, as well as response to experimental therapies, they facilitate the development and evaluation of new cancer medications and therapies.

Competitive Analysis:

The report offers the appropriate analysis of the key organizations/companies involved within the Japan nuclear imaging 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 elaborative 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

• ATOX CO. Ltd
• JFE Engineering Corporation
• Bracco Imaging SpA
• Fujifilm
• IBA Radiopharma Solutions
• CANON, INC.
• Nihon Medi-Physics Co.
• GE HEALTHCARE
• Koninklijke Philips NV
• Siemens Healthineers.
• Others 

Recent Developments:

• In April 2024, The Bracco Group announced it will commence its direct independent presence in the Japanese market in accordance with the Italian government proclaiming National Made in Italy Week. The 1990-founded and twice-renewed joint venture Bracco Eisai, making way for the new business, Bracco Japan. The strengths are intended to fulfil the rising demand for innovative medical devices and imaging technologies in the Japanese market.  Bracco Japan will focus on new product development and building relationships with the local medical community.

• In April 2024, GE HealthCare, a major global provider of medical technology, announced the launch of its A1-Sure refurbishment facility for ultrasound systems in Bangladesh. The facility will allow the very latest clinical and diagnostic technologies to be made available and more accessible to people living in rural regions of underserved Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. Refurbishing units allows for the reuse of medical equipment, enhancing access to high-quality care for a larger proportion of the population, while also addressing environmental sustainability objectives.

Key Target Audience

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

Market Segment

This study forecasts revenue at global, regional, and country levels from 2020 to 2035. Spherical Insights has segmented the Japan Nuclear Imaging Market based on the below-mentioned segments:

Japan Nuclear Imaging Market, By Modality

• Position Emission Tomography
• Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography

Japan Nuclear Imaging Market, By Application

• Cardiology
• Oncology