Paper recovery rate = (received waste paper - imported waste paper + exported waste paper) / (paper and paperboard shipments + imported volume of paper and paperboard - exported volume of paper and paperboard)
In 2024, approximately **** percent of waste paper was recovered in Japan. Figures increased slightly compared to about **** percent in the previous year. Paper is an easily recyclable material and is classified as a renewable resource since it is made from wood.Â
 Paper industry in Japan
Following China and the United States, Japan was the third-largest producer of paper. Even though its consumption volume of paper declined throughout the past decade, the island nation remained the third-largest consumer of paper worldwide. In Japan, most of the manufactured paper was used for printing and communication as well as newspapers, and sanitary tissue. Nevertheless, the consumption for printing and writing papers is expected to decline, likely due to the digitalization of such products.
 Recovery of wastepaper
Paper production has a major environmental impact as it contributes to air, water, and land pollution. In recent years, there have been changes in the behavior of both businesses and consumers as environmental issues such as pollution and climate change gained importance. To reduce waste and effectively use resources, the Japanese paper industry established a system of recycling wastepaper by using it as a raw material to produce new paper products. The recycling system is showing its effect, as the utilization rate of recovered paper in Japan increased continuously throughout the past decade, reaching over ** percent.
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Paper Recycling Promotion Center (PRPC). (March 25, 2025). Recovery rate of paper in Japan from 2014 to 2024 [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ. Retrieved July 25, 2026, from /statistics/741609/japan-paper-recovery-rate/
Paper Recycling Promotion Center (PRPC). "Recovery rate of paper in Japan from 2014 to 2024." Chart. March 25, 2025. ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ. Accessed July 25, 2026. /statistics/741609/japan-paper-recovery-rate/
Paper Recycling Promotion Center (PRPC). (2025). Recovery rate of paper in Japan from 2014 to 2024. ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ Inc.. Accessed: July 25, 2026. /statistics/741609/japan-paper-recovery-rate/
Paper Recycling Promotion Center (PRPC). "Recovery Rate of Paper in Japan from 2014 to 2024." ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ Inc., 25 Mar 2025, /statistics/741609/japan-paper-recovery-rate/
Paper Recycling Promotion Center (PRPC), Recovery rate of paper in Japan from 2014 to 2024 ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ, /statistics/741609/japan-paper-recovery-rate/ (last visited July 25, 2026)
Recovery rate of paper in Japan from 2014 to 2024 [Graph], Paper Recycling Promotion Center (PRPC), March 25, 2025. [Online]. Available: /statistics/741609/japan-paper-recovery-rate/