The clothing industry in Japan is expected to experience a declining workforce from 2024 to 2028, with a decrease from 152,000 to 138,000 employees. This represents a consistent reduction, as evident in year-on-year percentage declines: approximately 1.97% between 2024 and 2025, 2.68% between 2025 and 2026, and around 2.07% from 2026 to 2027, followed by 2.82% between 2027 and 2028. The Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) indicates an average annual decline of around 2.34% over this period. In 2023, the industry recorded an actual employment level slightly higher than 152,000 employees.
Future trends to watch for include:
- Potential impacts of aging population dynamics in Japan on the labor force.
- The influence of automation and technology in optimizing operations, potentially reducing labor requirements.
- Shifts in consumer behavior towards e-commerce and sustainable fashion may reshape workforce needs.
- Possible policy changes that might affect employment rates within the industry.
