Japan Sports Footwear market Size, Share, and COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Product Type (Athleisure Shoes, Running Shoes, Court Game Shoes, Gym and Training Shoes, Others), By Gender (Men, Women, Kids), and Japan Sports Footwear market Insights, Industry Trend, Forecasts to 2035

Japan Sports Footwear Market Insights Forecasts to 2035

• The Japan Sports Footwear Market Size Was Estimated at USD 102.3 Million in 2024
• The Market Size is Expected to Grow at a CAGR of around 6.46% from 2025 to 2035
• The Japan Sports Footwear Market Size is Expected to Reach USD 203.7 Million by 2035

According to a research report published by Spherical Insights & Consulting, the Japan Sports Footwear Market Size is Anticipated to Reach USD 203.7 Million by 2035, Growing at a CAGR of 6.46% from 2025 to 2035. The Japanese sports footwear industry experiences growth because of the nation's robust sports involvement trends, coupled with rising health awareness and the influence of current fashion styles alongside technological advancements. Japan experiences increasing sports footwear demand because of collaborations between celebrities and designers with popular brands, in addition to rising online shopping trends.

Market Overview

The sports footwear includes the sale and distribution of products that serve athletic activities and recreational sports, and active lifestyle needs. The primary purpose of sports shoes is to support active sports and other physical activities. The essential nature of these shoes for athletes emerges from their ability to provide torsional stability alongside highway traction, flexible movement, stability features, and motion control benefits. The growing number of sports competitions drives rapid expansion of product demand. The Japanese sports footwear sector advances through the growing popularity of outdoor activities and sports among diverse age groups, along with the dominant retail channels and intense promotional efforts of major shoe brands. The market situation evolves due to advances in environmentally friendly materials as well as athleisure trends, which correspond to consumer needs for fashionable and sustainable items. The footwear sector integrates automation systems at a rising rate because recent technological advances have made existing solutions more versatile. The footwear market, alongside the athletic shoe business, demonstrates accelerated growth through the implementation of advanced technological systems.

The Japanese sports footwear industry provides substantial market growth potential for major organizations in the upcoming years because of the growing health-conscious population and new technological advancements, together with rising consumer priorities for comfort and quality. The footwear industry can expand its market reach through online sales, even though traditional offline shopping remains the dominant channel. The Japanese sports footwear industry requires companies to follow government regulations that focus on maintaining fair trade rules alongside product safety and quality standards. The Chemical Substances Control Law and the Consumer Product Safety Act, and the Japan Industrial Standards (JIS) serve as pivotal regulatory frameworks. The regulations prevent hazardous substances from being used in production, establish guidelines for marketing activities, and protect consumer safety through strict quality standards.

Report Coverage

This research report categorizes the market for the Japan sports footwear 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 sports footwear 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 sports footwear market.

Driving Factors

A significant transformation swept through Japan, which led to the adoption of healthier living practices. The growing public understanding of exercise and sports health benefits is the main factor behind this lifestyle transformation, which drives market growth. Several sports footwear categories, such as cross-training and running shoes, achieved substantial sales growth in recent years. The Japanese sports footwear market underwent a complete transformation due to the implementation of advanced production technologies. These new standards in the industry emerged through technological developments, which created better cushioning systems along with high-performing materials and custom-fit solutions. Shoe manufacturers with a large market share substantially increased their research and development budget to develop shoes that offer superior performance, along with better comfort and durability. The technological features of sports footwear represent a vital consideration for Japanese consumers when they make their purchasing decisions. The current era has established sports shoes as fundamental elements in all types of outfits since they have extended beyond their original function. The market shows a continuous increase as more people purchase athletic shoes for non-sport activities. The growing market size results from the expanded consumer base, which extends beyond the traditional athlete market. The increasing preference of Japanese youth and middle-aged people for outdoor and adventure activities represents a key element for the market growth. The market continues to expand because more individuals participate in outdoor activities that create a demand for specialized footwear that matches different environmental conditions. The market expansion continues due to specialized products that create repeat purchasing habits among consumers.

Restraining Factors

Intense rivalry between domestic and foreign companies leads to market saturation in urban areas, which is a primary restraining factor for market growth. The presence of local and international businesses creates strong competition, which makes it difficult for small brands and new companies to succeed. The business environment responds to competition through aggressive pricing strategies that could lead to lowered net income for companies. The availability of numerous modern products makes it increasingly challenging for businesses to maintain their customer base. Raw materials and production costs have grown to the point where the industry is struggling. Rising material expenses escalate even further because of tougher environmental rules combined with increased labor expenses. The financial performance of retail companies that want to preserve market share becomes difficult because they face rising costs while refusing to implement major price hikes. Rural areas and low-income states experience market limitations because people there do not participate in pricey sports, and sports footwear is less accessible. Small-scale producers have created fake designer products to endanger the market share of expensive sports footwear brands.

Market Segmentation

The Japan sports footwear market share is classified into product type and gender.

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

The Japan sports footwear market is segmented by product type into athleisure shoes, running shoes, court game shoes, gym and training shoes, and others. Among these, the running shoes segment held the largest share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. The running community in Japan has expanded significantly, which drives the market while brands work on developing advanced features for a better user experience and performance. A larger number of people now choose running shoes because they exist in multiple price brackets, which include affordable models and high-end athletic shoes. The activity of running requires dedicated shoes that suit different purposes, including road and trail running, as well as track running and advanced training and competitive events.

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

The Japan sports footwear market is segmented by gender into men, women, and kids. Among these, the men's segment held the largest share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. The market grows because people show increased interest in outdoor activities and sports participation. Men who purchase athletic shoes have their needs met by brands that focus on advanced performance features and innovative designs while concentrating on technical aspects and durability. The sports footwear consumption in Japan has risen because men increasingly choose physical fitness as part of their wellness routine. Men have felt drawn to recreational sports activities such as hiking and hockey, alongside cricket and golf. The introduction of sports-specific products helps drive the market growth in men's footwear.

Competitive Analysis:

The report offers the appropriate analysis of the key organizations/companies involved within the Japan sports footwear 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

• PUMA SE
• Nike, Inc.
• Skechers Inc.
• Adidas
• New Balance Athletics, Inc.
• Vans, Inc.
• ASICS Corporation
• Converse Inc.
• Mizuno Corporation
• Others

Recent Developments:

• In April 2024, Nike Blueprint Pack will showcase its legendary technology in summer 2024. This new release includes thirteen shoes that integrate the best of Nike Air technology for multiple sports and activities. The product line includes football boots and basketball shoes and spikes, and lifestyle shoes to support all your field and casual wear requirements.
• In April 2024, ASICS will create and distribute the official TEAM JAPAN clothing, footwear, bags, and additional products, which the Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) and Japanese Para Sports Association (JPC) will use. The product line serves as primary wear for the Olympic and Paralympic villages and the award ceremonies.

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 the global, regional, and country levels from 2020 to 2035. Spherical Insights has segmented the Japan Sports Footwear Market based on the below-mentioned segments:

Japan Sports Footwear Market, By Product Type

• Athleisure Shoes
• Running Shoes
• Court Game Shoes
• Gym and Training Shoes
• Others

Japan Sports Footwear Market, By Gender

• Men
• Women
• Kids