TYRE INDUSTRY
OF JAPAN

2023

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.jatma.j.orp

TYRE INDUSTRY OF JAPAN 2023

Contents
The Japan Automobile Tyre Manufacturers Association, Inc...................................... 2
JATMA Member Companies........................................................................................................ 3
I. History of the Japanese Tyre Industry
		 1. Brief History of the Japanese Tyre Industry................................................................................... 4
		 2. Changes in Production Volume of Tyres and Automobiles............................................................ 5

II. The Japanese Tyre Industry Today		1. Overview......................................................................................................................................... 6
		 2. Trends in Production by Tyre Category.......................................................................................... 7
		 3. Trends in Sales of Original Equipment Tyres................................................................................. 7
		 4. Trends in Sales of Replacement Tyres.......................................................................................... 8		Trends in Sales of Summer Tyres and Winter Tyres for Replacement (for Four-Wheeled Vehicles)..... 8

		 5. Trends in Sales of Export Tyres..................................................................................................... 9
		 6. Exports by Region of Destination................................................................................................. 10
		 7. Imports by Region of Origin.......................................................................................................... 10

III. Measures for Tyre Safety		 1. Safety Standards for Automobile Tyres........................................................................................ 11		 2. Tyre Standards............................................................................................................................. 11
		 3. Legal Limits on Tread Wear......................................................................................................... 12		 4. Product Inspection........................................................................................................................ 12

IV. Consideration for Environment		 1. Tyre Labeling System for Low Car Exterior Sound Tyres............................................................... 13
		 2. Tyre Labeling System for Fuel-Efficient Tyres................................................................................ 13
		 3. Preventing Global Warming.......................................................................................................... 14
		 4. Effort to Reduce............................................................................................................................ 14
		 5. Current Status on ELT (End-of-Life Tyres) Recycling.................................................................... 15
		 6. The Status of Illegal Dumping of ELT............................................................................................. 16
		 7. JATMA Support Program............................................................................................................... 16

V. References
		 1. Automobiles and Tyres................................................................................................................. 17
		 2. Distribution Channels................................................................................................................... 18
		 3. Raw Materials............................................................................................................................... 19
		 4. Consumption of Rubber by Tyre and Tyre Products...................................................................... 20

Distribution of Member Companies’ (Full Members) Automobile Tyre Plants..... 21

The Japan Automobile Tyre Manufacturers Association, Inc.
Chairman:
Masataka Yamaishi, President, Chairman of the Board, The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
Vice-Chairman:	
Satoru Yamamoto, President and CEO, Representative Director, Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
Executive Director: Kenji Kurata
Established:
September 1947 (incorporated in December 1968)
Head Office:Toranomon No. 33 Mori Bldg., 8F, 8-21, Toranomon 3-chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0001, Japan
Members:

Tel.: 03 (3435) 9091 Fax: 03 (3435) 9097
[Full members]
Bridgestone Corporation
Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
Toyo Tire Corporation[Associate members]
Nihon Michelin Tire Co., Ltd.
Goodyear Japan, Ltd.

Organization
Under General Assembly and Board of Directors, three committees are established: Executive Committee, TechnicalCommittee, and Environmental Committee. The committees have relevant subcommittees which promoting their activities
such as surveys and studies.

Research & Statistics Subcommittee
Public Relations Subcommittee

Executive CommitteeIntellectual Property Subcommittee

GeneralAssembly

Board ofDirectors

Trade Subcommittee
Design Subcommittee
Tyre Standards
Verification Subcommittee

Board ofInspectors

Performance Testing Subcommittee

Technical Committee

Materials Subcommittee
Tyre Inspection &Technical Service Subcommittee
JATMA Review Committee of Tyre
Labeling System
Environment Subcommittee

Environmental Committee

Reduce Subcommittee
Recycle Subcommittee

Tyre Standards Subcommittee
Tyre Standards Committee
ISO Standards Subcommittee

Liaison conference for
Associate members
Associate member:
By getting certification of the Board of Directors, an Associate member can attend the General Assembly Meeting as an observer without voting right.

2

JATMA Member Companies[Full members]

Bridgestone Corporation

Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.

President

President

Masahiro Higashi

Satoru Yamamoto

Established: March 1, 1931

Established: March 6, 1917

Capital:Capital:¥126,354 million(as of the end of December 2022)¥42,658 million(as of the end of December 2022)

Annual sales: ¥4,110,100 million
revenue*1(fiscal year ending December 2022)

Annual sales: ¥1,098,664 million
revenue*2(fiscal year ending December 2022)

Employees:(consolidated)(consolidated)

129,262(as of the end of December 2022)

Employees:(consolidated)(consolidated)

40,365(as of the end of December 2022)

Head office:1-1, Kyobashi 3-chome,

Head office:6-9, Wakinohama-cho 3-chome, Chuo-ku,

Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-8340

Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture 651-0072

Tel.: 03 (6836) 3001

Tel.: 078 (265) 3000

https://www.bridgestone.com/

https://www.srigroup.co.jp/english/*1 International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) has been appliedFinancial Reporting Standards (IFRS) has been applied*2 International

The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.

Toyo Tire Corporation

President

President

from 2020

Masataka Yamaishi

from 2016.

Takashi Shimizu

Established: October 13, 1917

Established: August 1, 1945

Capital:Capital:¥38,909 million(as of the end of December 2022)

Annual sales: ¥860,477 million
revenue(fiscal year ending December 2022)(consolidated)

Employees:¥55,935 million(as of the end of December 2022)

Annual sales: ¥497,213 million(consolidated)(fiscal year ending December 2022)
Employees:(consolidated)

11,744(as of the end of December 2022)

Head office:2-13, Fujinoki 2-chome, Itami,(consolidated)

28,468(as of the end of December 2022)

Head office:2-1 Oiwake, Hiratsuka City,

Hyogo Prefecture 664-0847

Kanagawa Prefecture, 254-8601

Tel.: 072 (789) 9100

Tel.: 0463 (63) 0400

https://www.toyotires-global.com/

	https://www.y-yokohama.com/global/
profile/company/[Associate members]

Nihon Michelin Tire Co., Ltd.

Goodyear Japan, Ltd.

President

President

Gen Sudo

Yujiro Kanahara

Established: June 10, 1975

Established: January 10, 1952

Capital:¥100 million(as of the end of December 2022)

Capital:¥2,336 million(as of June 1, 2023)

Employees:

500(as of the end of December 2022)

Employees:

199(as of June 1, 2023)

Head office:880 Uekinocho, Ota City,

Head office:Ark Hills South Tower 7F,

Gunma Prefecture 373-8668

1-4-5 Roppongi, Minato-ku,

Tel.: 0276-25-4321

Tokyo 106-0032

https://www.michelin.co.jp/

https://www.goodyear.co.jp/

3

Ⅰ History of the Japanese Tyre Industry
1. Brief History of the Japanese Tyre Industry
The production scale of the automobile tyre industry of Japan steadily increased from the second half of 1990s to 2008,
supported by almost steady demand in the domestic market and active export. It declined severely in 2009 due to the world
economic crisis. Though it recovered to a certain extent in 2010, it gradually decreased thereafter, and one of the causes is
globalization of the production system. Since 2017, it increased from the previous year for three consecutive years, but in 2020,
it was considerably lower than the previous year due to the spread of COVID-19 around the world. The number of tyre
production in 2022 was 132.45 million units, and the amount of rubber consumption was 1.00 million tons. Both figures werelower than the previous year, and did not reach the level of 2019 before the spread of COVID-19.
The tyre industry of Japan accounts for about 80% of the domestic rubber industry in terms of rubber consumption, and its trend
by decade is as follows.
(1) 1940s-1950s
The industry restructured after World War II, following the destruction of facilities and equipment. In the early 1950s, after the longterm government regulation and during the Korean War, the industry enjoyed special procurement and improved tyre demand.
However, after the Korean War, deflationary pressures affected the Japanese economy. Demand for tyres decreased sharply, andthe tyre market experienced considerable difficulty.
(2) 1960s
Around 1960, full-fledged motorization, including increased automobiles on the road and the advent of expressways, spurred theindustry toward a technological revolution, including expansion and automation of equipment, as well as changes in the raw
materials for tyres, and enjoyed a high-growth phase.
(3) 1970s
From 1970, the industry suffered demand downturns temporarily as a result of the first oil crisis. However, exports led the growing
Japanese economy. Tyre production expanded, as a result of an increase in the number of vehicles produced and registered, andproduct diversification spurred demand.

(4) 1980s
Low economic growth under the worldwide recession following the second oil crisis (1979) combined with the progress of radial
tyres, which caused demand downturns, forcing the Japanese tyre industry into a period of extreme difficulty. In 1983, however, aturnaround was seen owing to economic recovery in Japan and in principal nations worldwide. In September 1985, however, tyredemand dropped, influenced by the strong yen. Then in December 1986, the Japanese economy started to grow steadily, backed bysolid consumer spending and capital investment. As a result, the volume of rubber consumption reached the 1-million-ton mark in
1989.
(5) 1990s
With the collapse of Japan’s “bubble economy,” the stock market crashed, corporate profits declined, the job environment became
uncertain, consumer spending and capital investment slowed, and the yen appreciated causing further deepening of economic
stagnation. Signs of recovery were seen in 1995, but in 1997 Japan entered a recession. In 1998 and 1999, large-scale
restructuring in the financial sector and the introduction of foreign capital into the automotive industry arose as serious concerns. On
the other hand, the global economy in general remained steady despite economic difficulties in Southeast Asia, supported by therobust U.S. economy. In this environment, the Japanese tyre industry grew overall, although rubber consumption fell below the
1-million-ton mark in 1993. Supported by brisk exports, Japanese tyre production volume increased to 1.13 million tons in 1999, arecord high.
(6) 2000s
The Japanese economy was on a trend of gentle recovering, and although it was still suffering from such problems as continuing
high prices of raw materials, it continued the biggest economic growth after the Second World War owing to improved corporate
earnings and increased capital investments. Global economy continued strong as a whole until 2007 owing to supports by therobust economy of the United States, Europe, Middle East and BRICs countries, and tyre rubber production volume marked arecord high every year from 2002 and it reached 1.36 million tons in 2007.
However, tyre production volume took a downward turn in 2008 after seven years due to the serious worldwide economic crisis from
September 2008 and decreased by 360,000 tons, then declined to 990,000 tons under 1 million tons after fifteen years.
(7) 2010s
The economy of Japan recovered, supported by the government’s economic policies etc, but stagnated in 2011 due to the Great East
Japan Earthquake and the record appreciation of the yen. After 2013, it continued its gradual increase by the effect of high stock prices and the depreciation of the yen, but since 2018, due to the effect of the global economic slowdown, it experienced a negative
growth in 2019. The world economy also gradually recovered from the financial crisis, and in addition to the United States where stable growth continues and Europe that turned into positive growth since the second half of 2013, emerging economies also remainedrobust in general due to recovery in resource prices and other factors, however, growth slowed in many countries and regions since
the middle of the 2018. The losing momentum of growth led to the decrease of the tyre volume for export from Japan, and the tyre production amount on a rubber consumption basis in Japan has decreased from 1.20 million tons in 2010 to 1.07 million tons in 2019.
(8) 2020-2022
The Japanese economy was sluggish throughout the year in 2020 due to the impact of COVID-19. Since 2021, effect to the progress of COVID-19 vaccination and the relaxation of behavioral restrictions, it turned to positive but moderate growth due to the turmoil in the global supply network and high prices of commodities. The world economy was also affected by COVID-19, and had
negative growth in many countries and regions in 2020. Since 2021, although the economic activities were normalized and economic recovery trend continued, the world economy carried a burden stemmed from high prices of raw materials and soaring energy
costs. Under such the circumstances, the rubber amount used for tyre production in Japan for both domestic and export in 2022
almost stayed at the same level as in the previous year, but they did not reach the level of 2019, before the spread of COVID-19.
4

2. Changes in Production Volume of Tyres and Automobiles
Table 1: Changes in Production Volume of Tyres and Automobiles
1950

1960

1970

Tyre Production (for Automobiles)

14

83

369

Automobile Production

32

482 5,289 11,043 13,487 10,141 9,629 9,775 9,278 9,205 9,691 9,730 9,684 8,068 7,847 7,835(×1000 tons)(quantity of rubber)(×1000 units)

1980

1990

2000

2010

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

784 1,031 1,153 1,196 1,121 1,058 1,020 1,026 1,060 1,066

2020

2021

2022

863 1,015 1,003

Source: JATMA

Figure 1: Changes in Production Volume of Tyres and Automobiles
Tyre Production (for Automobiles)(×1000 tons)

Automobile Production(×1000 units)

1,400

14,0001,300

13,000Automobile Production

1,200

12,000

1,100

11,0001,000

10,000

900

9,000

800

8,000

700

7,000

600

6,000

500

5,000

Tyre Production
400

4,000

300

3,000

200

2,000

100

1,000

0 1950

1955

1960

1965

1970

1975

1980

1985

1990

1995

2000

2005

2010

2015

2020

0

5

Ⅱ The Japanese Tyre Industry Today
1. Overview
The proportion of the tyre industry (fig. 2 and 3) in the rubber industry in terms of consumption of raw materials (natural
rubber and synthetic rubber) 81.2% was the same as the previous year. The amount of sales value increased by 1.1
percentage points from the previous year to 53.5%.

The proportion of the tyre industry in the rubber industry in 2022 (excluding cart tyres, tubes and flaps)
Figure 2: Raw material consumption

Figure 3: The sales amount(the amount of natural rubber and synthetic rubber)
Non-tyre:

Non-tyre:

230 ×103 tons
(18.8%)

1,071.2×109 yen(46.5%)

Total :
2,303.6t×109 yen

Total :
1.23×106 tons
Tyre:

Tyre:

1,000×103 tons
(81.2%)

1,232.4×109 yen(53.5%)

Source: Current Production Statistics by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry

Figure 4: T rends in the raw material consumption (the amount of natural rubber and synthetic
rubber) and the sales amount of the tyre industry of Japan
Rubber consumption (tons×104)

Value (yen×108)140

14,000Tyre : Value

130
120

Tyre : Rubber consumption

12,000

110
100

10,000Non-tyre : Value

90
80

8,000

70
60

6,000

50

Non-tyre : Rubber consumption

40

4,000

30
20

2,000

10
0

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

0

Source: Current Production Statistics by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry

62. Trends in Production by Tyre Category
The production volume of automobile tyres decreased by 3.7% from the previous year to 132.45 million tyres in 2022.
Passenger car tyres decreased by 5.5% from the previous year mainly due to decreasing shipment volume to overseas.
Light truck tyres decreased by 0.4% as well. On the other hand, truck & bus tyres increased by 5.1% from the previous
year because export volume increased considerably.

Table 2: Automobile tyre production in 2022

Figure 5: Trends in automobile tyre production
Units×106
180

Production
Units(×103)

2022/2021(%)

160

Passenger car tyres

94,79094.5

140Light truck tyres

21,975

99.6

Truck and bus tyres

10,673

105.1

Others

5,015

101.1

Total

132,453

96.3

Note: “Others” are off-the-road tyres, industrial tyres,
agricultural tyres, cart tyres, and motorcycle tyres.

Source: JATMA

Total

PC

120
100
80
60
40

LT

20

TB

0

2013

Others

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

3. Trends in Sales of Original Equipment Tyres
The sales volume of original equipment tyres decreased by 0.9% to 36.61 million tyres in 2022, which was a decrease forfive consecutive years.
Because of decreasing production volume of passenger cars, which were greatly affected by the shortage of parts suchas semiconductors worldwide, the sales volume of their tyres decreased by 1.9% from the previous year. Truck & bus
tyres decreased by 8.5% as well. However, the sales volume of Light truck tyres exceeded the previous year by 4.7%
because the production of Mini trucks was strong.

Table 3: Sales of original equipment tyres in 2022

Figure 6: Trends in sales of original equipment tyres
Units×106
50

Sales
Units(×10 )2022/2021(%)

Passenger car tyres

28,682

98.1

Light truck tyres

4,970

104.7

Truck and bus tyres

1,124

91.5

Others

1,838

106.1

Total

36,614

3

Note: 1. “Others” are off-the-road tyres, industrial tyres,
agricultural tyres, cart tyres, and motorcycle tyres.
2. Imported tyres are included.

99.1

40

Total

PC

30

20

Source: JATMA

10

TB

LT
Others

0

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

7

4. Trends in Sales of Replacement Tyres
The sales volume of replacement tyres increased by 3.5% from the previous year to 72.02 million tyres in 2022, which
was an increase for two consecutive years.

Table 4: Sales of replacement tyres in 2022

Figure 7: Trends in sales of replacement tyres
Units×106
80

Sales
Units(×103)

2022/2021(%)

Passenger car tyres

50,386

103.9

Light truck tyres

13,985

102.1

70
60

5,569

104.6

Others

2,084

100.1

40

Total

72,024103.5

30

Source: JATMA

PC

50

Truck and bus tyres

Note: 1. “Others” are off-the-road tyres, industrial tyres,
agricultural tyres, cart tyres, and motorcycle tyres.
2. Imported tyres are included.

Total

20

LT

10

TB

0

2013

Others

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

Trends in Sales of Summer Tyres and Winter Tyres for Replacement (for Four-Wheeled
Vehicles)The sales volume of replacement summer tyres (normal tyres except snow tyres) increased by 4.4% from the previous
year to 46.00 million tyres in 2022, which was an increase for two consecutive years. The sales volume of all categories
increased from the previous year, as passenger car tyres, light truck tyres, and truck & bus tyres increased by 5.4%,
0.1%, and 7.1%, respectively.

Table 5-1:
Sales of summer tyres for replacement (forfour-wheeled vehicles) in 2022
Summer tyres
tyreUnits(×103) 2022/2021(%) Summerrate(%)

Passenger car tyres

33,812

105.4

67.1

Light truck tyres

9,238

100.1

66.1

Truck and bus tyres

2,945

107.1

52.9

Total

45,995

104.4

65.8

Note: 1. “Summer tyre rate” indicates a percentage of summer
tyres in total number of replacement tyre sales.
2. Imported tyres are included.
3. All-season tyres are included in this category.

8

Source: JATMA

Figure 8-1: Trends in sales of summer tyres for
replacement (for four-wheeled vehicles)
Units×106
50
40

Total

PC

30
20

LT
10
0

TB

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

II. The Japanese Tyre Industry Today

The sales volume of replacement winter tyres increased by 2.1% from the previous year to 23.95 million tyres in 2022,
which was an increase for two consecutive years. The sales volume of all categories increased from the previous year
because of snowfall in the Tokyo Metropolitan Area in January, as passenger car tyres, light truck tyres, and truck & bus
tyres increased by 1.0%, 6.1%, and 2.0%, respectively.

Table 5-2:
Sales of winter tyres for replacement (forfour-wheeled vehicles) in 2022
Winter tyres
Units(×103) 2022/2021(%)

Units×10630

Winter tyrerate(%)

Passenger car tyres

16,574

101.0

32.9

Light truck tyres

4,747

106.1

33.9

Truck and bus tyres

2,624

102.0

47.1

Total

23,945

102.1

34.2

Note: 1. “Winter tyre rate” indicates the percentage of wintertyres in total number of replacement tyre sales.
2. Imported tyres are included.

Figure 8-2: Trends in sales of winter tyres for
replacement (for four-wheeled vehicles)

Source: JATMA

20

10

0

Total

PC

TB

LT

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

5. Trends in Sales of Export Tyres
The export volume of automobile tyres decreased by 5.1% from the previous year to 41.10 million in 2022. As forpassenger car tyres, export volume decreased by 9.4% from the previous year, but light truck tyres and truck & bus tyres
increased by 0.5%, and 11.9%, respectively.

Table 6: Sales of export tyres in 2022

Units×106

Sales
Units(×103)60

2022/2021(%)

Passenger car tyres

27,26090.6

Light truck tyres

5,956

100.5

Truck and bus tyres

4,728

111.9

Others

3,158

102.5

Total

41,102

94.9

Note:	“Others” are off-the-road tyres, industrial tyres,
agricultural tyres, cart tyres, and motorcycle tyres.

Figure 9: Trends in sales of export tyres
Total

50

40

PC

30

Source: JATMA

20

10

LT

0

2013

TB

2014

2015

2016

Others

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

9

6. Exports by Region of Destination
The export volume of automobile tyres in 2022 decreased by 2.1% from the previous year to 42.55 million, however, it
increased on a value basis by 28.3% from the previous year to 696.9 billion yen. The total of product weight for export
increased by 2.5% from the previous year to 1.14 million tons.
By region (on a quantity basis) apart from North America, the export volume for the other regions decreased, and forworld wide resulted in a decrease from the previous year as well.

Table 7: Exports by region of destination in 2022

Figure 10: Export trend by region

Total

2022/ Value 2022/
2021 (FOB) 2021(%) (yen×106) (%)

638

15,412102.4 230,583

144.7

667

325

2,674

96.6

148.5

7,430

645

1,729

9,804

93.7 103,789

92.0

4,017

1,773

42

5,832

97.7

63,938122.1

Africa

625

671

48

1,344

86.0

31,194

128.0

Asia

4,351

866

388

5,605

98.5 102,639

141.8

Oceania

1,223

525

134

1,882

95.3

79,619

123.1

Total

30,781

8,468

3,304

42,55397.9 696,926

128.3

Tyre Units(×103)
PC

TB&LT

OthersNorth America

11,4533,321

South & Central
America

1,682EuropeMiddle East

85,164

Units×106
60

50

40

30

20

10

Weight(tons) 401,097 347,308 386,770 1,135,175 102.5
Source: Trade Statistics of Japan

0

Note: 1. Exchange rates are averages of Tokyo InterBank offered spot exchange rate.
2021: 1USD = 110yen
2022: 1USD = 131yen
2.“Others” doesn’t include Aircraft tyres and Bicycle tyres.
3. Weight and Value include tubes.

2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

North America and South & Central America
EuropeMiddle East and Africa
Asia and Oceania

7. Imports by Region of Origin
The import volume of automobile tyres in 2022 increased by 4.0% from the previous year to 28.65 million on a quantity
basis, and increased on a value basis by 25.1% from the previous year to 161.0 billion yen. Product weight total of importincreased by 4.3% from the previous year to 0.28 million tons.
By region (on a quantity basis), import volume from Asia increased which account for about 90% of the total and the total
volume also increased from the previous year as well.

Table 8: Imports by region of origin in 2022
PC

TB&LT Others

Figure 11: Import trends by region

2022/ Value 2022/
2021 (CIF) 2021(%) (yen×106) (%)

Tyre Units(×10 )
3

Total

North America

237

44

27

308

88.0

4,309 110.3

South & Central
America

59

2

6

67

70.5

1,425

1,610

91

210

1,911

92.8

23,330 105.5

Middle East

12

2

0

14 107.7

378 214.8

Africa260

0

0

260 110.6

1,681 136.1

Asia

19,870

2,828

3,396

0

0

0

22,048

2,967

3,639

28,654 104.0 160,982 125.1

Weight(tons) 183,439

66,40830,853

280,700 104.3

EuropeOceania
Total

－

35
30

85.7

26,094 105.2 129,852 130.4
0Units×106

7 700.0

25
20
15
10
5

Source: Trade Statistics of Japan
Note: 1.“Others” doesn’t include Aircraft tyres and Bicycle tyres.
2. Weight and Value include tubes.

1002013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

North America and South & Central America
EuropeMiddle East and Africa
Asia and Oceania

Ⅲ Measures for Tyre Safety
1. Safety Standards for Automobile Tyres
Various standards have been specified regarding tyres from the viewpoint of automobile safety because tyres areautomobile’s important parts.
Each Individual state has its own legislation specifying the standards and the tyres are requested to satisfy the standardsof the state where the tyres are to be used. In Japan we have the Safety Regulations for Road Vehicles and their detailed
items, enacted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.
In addition to these regulations, the guidelines for the items to be complied in usage and maintenance of automobile tyres
are specified in “Standards for Selection, Usage and Maintenance of Automobile Tyres” by JATMA to ensure andenlighten the tyre safety.

2. Tyre Standards
Besides the safety standards, standards for specifications of automobile tyres, rims and valves are set by the Tyre
Standards Committee which comprises representatives from tyre manufacturers and vehicle manufacturers, andgovernment ministries concerned and published in book form as JATMA YEAR BOOK annually by JATMA. JATMA YEAR
BOOK is designed to promote standardization, simplification, and unification of tyre use within Japan, and is contributing
to rationalization of production and use of fair tyres while ensuring the interchangeability.
The JATMA standards are quoted in the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and Regulations of U.S., applied totyres exporting to Canada, Australia and so on; and recognized as one of authoritative guidelines such as the ETRTO
standards of Europe and TRA standards of US.
The JATMA standards cover the following tyre categories:- passenger car tyres,- light truck tyres,- truck and bus tyres,- off-road vehicle tyres,- agricultural equipment tyres,- industrial vehicle tyres, and- motorcycle tyres.

11

3. Legal Limits on Tread Wear
Worn tyres could be a threat to road safety. They’re easier to slip especially on wet roads because of the degradation of
their braking performance, comparing to new tyres. Thus the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
prescribed requirements for tyre groove depth (minimum groove depth) in its Safety Regulations for Road Vehicles, andproscribed the use of tyres of insufficient groove depth on roads. (see table 9 and 10 (table 10 for high-speed driving)).
Shown in figure 12 is the result of actual inspection on in-service vehicles conducted by JATMA. As it is shown, thenumber of improper inflation pressure tyres, uneven wear tyres are notably high.

4. Product Inspection
In 1954, JATMA started its tyre inspection activity at its branch offices.
Defective or damaged tyres are now observed and checked at five offices according to the requests from their consumers
to find causes of the damages and to provide advice to them regarding correct usage of tyres.

Table 9: Wear limit for automobile tyres
Tyre type

Groove depth limit

Passenger car tyres

1.6 mmLight truck tyres

1.6 mmTruck and bus tyres

1.6 mmMotorcycle tyres

0.8 mmTable 10: W ear limit for automobile tyres inhigh-speed driving
Tyre type

Groove depth limit

Passenger car tyres

1.6 mmLight truck tyres

2.4 mmTruck and bus tyres

3.2 mmFigure 12: Breakdown of tyre defects
Insufficient tyre grooves
Uneven wear
External cuts (reaching the cord)
Pins or alien matter
Insufficient inflation pressure
Others
Notes:
1. Multiple tyre defects per vehicle are possible, thus the number of tyre defects does not correspond to the number of vehicles with tyre defects.
2. The defect rate is the number of defects divided by the number of vehicles inspected.
3. Tyre inspections were carried out a total of 15 times (3 times on expressways and 12 times on ordinary roads) in 2022.

12(Parentheses show defect rates)

7
(1.2)
20
(3.5)
4
(0.7)
1
(0.2)
116
(20.1)
38(6.6)

Ⅳ Consideration for Environment
1. Tyre Labeling System for Low Car Exterior Sound Tyres
The purpose of this system is to contribute to the reduction of vehicle traffic noise from the tyre sector.
This is an industry voluntary system established to clarify “Low Car Exterior Sound Tyres”, which are tyres that meet acertain standard level on rolling sound emissions of tyres from a travelling vehicle, and how to display the labels.
•S cope•H ow to Display the Labels

Replacement summer and winter tyres for passenger
cars, light trucks, and trucks & buses.

• Performance Requirements

Display the name and/or the label(shown on the right) representing “Low
Car Exterior Sound Tyres”.

The limits of rolling sound emissions stipulated in UN
R117-02.

2. Tyre Labeling System for Fuel-Efficient Tyres
For the purpose of providing consumers with easy-to-understand and more appropriate information, it has been in
operation since January 2010.
A system established as an industry voluntary standard to classify rolling resistance performance and wet grip
performance based on a grading system and label them.
•S cope• How to Display the Labels

Summer tyres for passenger car that are purchased as
replacement tyres by consumers at tyre dealers etc.

(example)• Grading System
Rolling Resistance Coefficient (RRC).................. A range of five grades (Grade AAA to C)
Wet Grip Performance....................... A range of four grades (Grade a to d): Uniform mark of fuel efficient tyres

Unit (N/kN)

RRC

Grade

RRC ≦ 6.5AAA

6.6 ≦ RRC ≦ 7.7AA

7.8 ≦ RRC ≦ 9.0

A

9.1 ≦ RRC ≦ 10.5

B

10.6 ≦ RRC ≦ 12.0

C: Rolling Resistance
Performance

Unit (–)

Wet Grip Performance (G)Grade155 ≦ Ga

140 ≦ G ≦ 154b• The spread of fuel efficient tyres :The labeling system started in 2010, and in recent years,
it is widely used and more than 80% is “Fuel Efficient
Tyres”.

125 ≦ G ≦ 139c（%）

110 ≦ G ≦ 124

d

80

90

77.5

70

• Performance requirements for fuel efficient tyres
Rolling Resistance Coefficient............................... 9.0 and below (Grade AAA to A)
Wet Grip Performance................................... 110 and above (Grade a to d): Wet Grip
Performance

60

59.8

50
40

40.7

30
20

63.6

79.1

80.7

79.1

81.1

79.3

80.9

68.3

44.6

21.7

10
0

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

13

3. Preventing Global Warming
The tyre industry has been working to reduce GHG emissions throughout the entire life cycle of tyres.
To encourage consumer’s cooperation to reduce CO2 emissions during the “use stage”, which accounts for over 80% ofemissions during the lifecycle, JATMA started a tyre labeling system which includes information on RRC.
In 2012, JATMA developed “Tyre LCCO2 Calculation Guidelines Ver.2.0” which explains how to calculate greenhousegases throughout the entire lifecycle showing some examples. In 2021, JATMA developed “Tyre LCCO 2 Calculation
Guidelines Ver.3.0”, which complies with international standards and includes the latest data.
We also use this guideline to publicize the effects on resource usage saving and CO2 emissions reduction. Together with
our stakeholders, we are working to contribute to the prevention of global warming.
• Reduction Effect of CO2 Emissions by Reducing Rolling Resistance of Passenger Car Tyres• Effects on resource usage saving and CO2 emissions reduction through the spread of retread tyres for trucks and buses(https://www.jatma.or.jp/english/environment_recycle/globalwarming.html)

4. Effort to Reduce
In 2005, JATMA adopted a concept of reduce coefficient, which focuses on both longer tyres life and lighter weight tyres.
We are promoting the monitoring of the reduce achievement rate aiming at the benchmark effect in designing new
products. By this promoting, we are striving to reduce the amount of ELT (End-of-Life Tyres) generated (target 10%,effective 3-5%).
In recent years, the performance required for tyres has been diversified in terms of noise reduction, wet grip, rolling
resistance, etc., and it is also important to consider the balance between these requirements and reduce coefficient.

Table 11: Monitoring of reduce achievement rates
Category
Passenger car tyres
Passenger car tyres
Passenger car tyres

Tyre size
155/65R13
175/65R14
195/65R15Classification

Reduce achievement rates
2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

Summer tyres

–

144

–

96

106

Studless tyres

102

–

85

98

–

Summer tyres

95

124

–

98

108

Studless tyres

103

–

85

99

100

Summer tyres

102

114

–

108

110

Studless tyres

99

–

95

100

–

Summer tyres

101

120

–

118

115

Studless tyres

97

–

72

102

–

Passenger car tyres

215/45R17Light truck tyres

145R12(145/80R12)

Summer tyres

–

110

–

–

100

Studless tyres

–

–

–

97

121

Light truck tyres

185R14(185/80R14)

Summer tyres

–

124

–

–

98

Studless tyres

–

–

–

97

–

Light truck tyres

205/70R16

Truck and bus tyres

225/80R17.5

Truck and bus tyres

245/70R19.5

Truck and bus tyres

11R22.5

Summer tyres

–

101

115

133

–

Studless tyres

–

–

96

–

122

Summer tyres

118

109

100

–

113

Studless tyres

87

–

–

111

100

Summer tyres

117

107

–

–

113

Studless tyres

93

–

–

107

107

Summer tyres

118

106

100

–

141

Studless tyres

87

–

100

110

Note: 1. Wear Life Index (L) = Wear life on design specification of new product (km) ÷ Wear life on design specification of old product (km)		 Weight Index (W) = Weight of new product (kg) ÷ Weight of old product (kg)		 Reduce Coefficient = Wear Life Index (L) ÷ Weight Index (W)		 Reduce Achievement Rate = Reduce Coefficient ×100
2. 7.50R16 has been replaced by 245/70R19.5 since 2007.

14

114
Source: JATMAIV. Consideration for Environment

5. Current Status on ELT (End-of-Life Tyres) Recycling
Figure 13: Processing flow of ELT recycling
Discharger
General Consumers

The businesses(Transportation service
providers etc.)

Professional waste operators
Municipal
solid waste

Tyre shops*

Recycling & Final disposal

Material recycling
Waste operatorsfor collection &transport

Industrial
waste

Waste operatorsfor intermediate
treatment

Thermal recycling
ExportOthersThe businesses(Demolition contractor)*Tyre shops such as tyre dealers, tyre shops, car accessory stores, gas stations, car dealers, car maintenance shops, etc.
However, those who do not sell automobile tyres are excluded.

(1) Volume of ELT generated
In 2022 (January to December), the sum of generated by replacing tyres and scrapped vehicles in Japan was 92
million tyres on a quantity basis and 1 million tons on a weight basis.
Compared with the previous year, ELT increased by 1 million tyres and by 21 thousand tons.
① The amount of ELT generated by replacing tyres.
The amount of ELT generated by replacing tyres was 80 million tyres and 891 thousand tons, which was both anincrease compared with the previous year.
It was almost the same level as 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic.
② The amount of ELT generated by scrapped vehicles.
The amount of ELT generated by scrapped vehicles was 12 million tyres and 117 thousand tons, a decrease inboth number and weight from the previous year.
In 2022, new car sales decreased, and trade ins decreased. Therefore the amount of ELT generated by scrappedvehicles has decreased.

(2) Current status of the ELT recycling
In 2022, the amount used by recycling method increased by 113% for material recycling, 104% for thermal recycling,and 126% for export, compared to the previous year, all increased. The total recycling amount increased by 80,000
tons from the previous year to a total of 984,000 tons.
Due to soaring prices of fossil fuels such as coal, the demand of ELT as an alternative fuel is increasing. In addition,
the Act on Rationalizing Energy Use revised this spring will require business operators to further switch to non-fossil
fuels, which is also boosting the demand of ELT as a fuel.

(3) Others• In recent years, the domestic thermal recycle users have continued to purchase cut / shredded ELT from overseas,
and the annual import volume in 2022 was about 80 thousand tons.
This import volume is not included in the JATMA statistics.
• In the thermal recycling of ELT, there is an increasing demand for shredded products from which iron materials suchas bead wire are removed. The iron materials are separated beforehand and have been recycled. Therefore, thename of the “Other reuse” category of conventional material recycling has been changed to “Other (including iron raw
materials)” and the separated iron materials have been included in this category.
• The recycling to extract oil, carbon black, etc., from ELT has been done in gasification facilities, so the categoryname had been “Gasification facilities”.
However, there are facilities other than Gasification facilities for this type of recycling. Therefore, the category namehas been changed to “Pyrolysis”.
15

Table 12: Volume of ELT(Tyres: millions; Weight: kt)

2018
tyres weight2019

distribution (%)
tyres weighttyres weight2020

distribution (%)
tyres weighttyres weight2021

distribution (%)
tyres weighttyres weight2022

distribution (%)
tyres weighttyres weight

distribution (%) 2022/2021(%)
tyres weight tyres weight

The amount generated
by replacing tyres

82

892

85

86

81

884

84

86

73

806

85

86

77

854

85

87

80

891

87

88

104

104

The amount generated
by scrapped vehicles

14

140

15

14

15

142

16

14

13

131

15

14

14

133

15

13

12

117

13

12

85

88

Total

96 1,032

100

100

96 1,026

100

100

86

937

100

100

91

987

100

100

92 1,008

100

100

101

102

Source: JATMA

Table 13: Status of ELT(Weight: kt)
2018

Thermal Recycling
ExportDomestic

AbroadKind of recycling

Material
Recycling

Retreaded tyre bases
Reclaimed rubber
Other (including iron raw materials)
Subtotal (A)Paper manufacturing
Chemical factories
Cement factories
Steel manufacturing
Pyrolysis
Tyre manufacturing
Small boilers
Subtotal (B)Whole tyres (used tyres)
Cut / shredded(for raw and fuel)Subtotal (C)Total recycling (A+B+C)
Landfill
Incineration, etc.
Subtotal (D)Total (A+B+C+D)

2019

weightdistribution (%)

51
120
1
172
446
66
64
14
61
20
3
674
148

2020

weightdistribution (%)

5
12
1
17
43
6
6
1
6
2
1
65
14

51
132
0
183
402
66
70
18
56
9
2
623
158

3

1

151
997
1
34
35
1,032

15
97
1
3
3
100

2021

weightdistribution (%)

5
13
0
18
39
6
7
2
5
1
1
61
15

46
115
1
162
412
96
69
16
10
2
2
607
141

2

1

160
966
1
59
60
1,026

16
94
1
6
6
100

2022

weightdistribution (%)

weight

5
12
1
17
44
10
7
2
1
0
1
65
15

50
84
1
135
425
112
73
17
1
2
3
633
133

5
9
1
14
43
11
7
2
0
0
1
64
13

53
85
15
153
433
136
81
0
2
3
5
660
168

5
8
2
15
43
13
8
0
1
1
1
66
17

106
101
1,500
113
102
121
111
0
200
150
167
104
127

2

1

3

1

3

1

100

143
912
5
20
25
937

15
97
1
2
3
100

136
904
11
72
83
987

14
92
2
7
8
100

171
984
14
9
23
1,008

17
98
2
1
2
100

126
109
127
13
28
102

Note: There can be some cases that distribution’s subtotals and the sums of their constituent items don’t match due to the handling of decimals.

distribu- 2022/2021
tion (%)(%)

Source: JATMA

6. The Status of Illegal Dumping of ELTThe total number of cases was 76 and the quantity was 25,163 tons. Compared to the previous year, the total quantity
increased by 664 tons.

7. JATMA Support Program
With the aim of reducing the illegal dumping of ELT, JATMA has been operating a restoration support program since2005.
During the 18 years from FY2005 to FY2022, we have provided support of 379.26 million yen to a total of 23 projects,
and 2,993 thousand ELT weighing 30 thousand tons have been removed.
JATMA will continue to operate this support system.

16

Ⅴ References
1. Automobiles and Tyres①The number of registered automobiles as of the end of December 2022 increased by 0.1% from the previous year to78.17 million units. The sales volume of replacement tyres (for four-wheeled vehicles) were 69.94 million, which
increased by 3.6% from the previous year.

Table 14: Automobile registrations and salesof replacement tyres in 2022

Figure 14: T rends in automobile registrations andsales of replacement tyres

Automobile

Automobiles registration(units×106)

Sales of replacement tyres(units×106)

Registrations(×103)

2022/2021(%)

Passenger cars

62,158

100.0

90

Trucks and buses

16,007

100.5

80

90
80

Total

78,165100.1

70

Replacement tyres

Sales(×103)

2022/2021(%)

60

Passenger car tyres

50,386

103.9

Commercial vehicle tyres

19,554

102.8

Total

69,940103.6

Source: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, JATMA
Note: The number of automobile registrations does not include tricycles, towed
vehicles, and large special vehicles.

100

Automobiles registration

70

Sales of replacement tyres

50

60

40

50

30

40

20

30

10

20

0

2022 10

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

②The volume of domestic production of automobile in 2022 decreased by 0.2% from the previous year to 7.84 million
units. The sales volume of original equipment tyres (for four-wheeled vehicles) decreased by 1.2% from the previous year
to 34.78 million tyres.

Table 15: Automobile production and sales oforiginal equipment tyres in 2022

Figure 15: T rends in automobile production andsales of original equipment tyres

Automobile

Automobile production(units×106)

Sales of original equipment tyres(units×106)

Productions(×103)

2022/2021(%)

Passenger cars

6,566

99.2

Trucks and buses

1,269

103.3

Total

7,835

99.8

Sales(×103)

2022/2021(%)

10

60

8

50

Original equipment tyres
Passenger car tyres

28,682

98.1

Commercial vehicle tyres

6,094

102.0

Total

34,776

98.8

Source: Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, JATMA

14
12

80
70

Automobile production

6

Sales of original equipment tyres

40

4

30

2

20

0 2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022 1017

2. Distribution Channels
The distribution of automobile tyres is divided into three channels: original equipment, replacement and exports. The
channel for replacement is particularly wide-ranging with distributors as key stations as shown in Figure 16. The routes
for the channels are roughly divided into two types: the first type is distributors sell tyres directly to logistics, bus and taxi
companies, and government and municipal users. The other next is tyre dealers supplying tyres to logistics, bus and taxi
companies, government and municipal users, and general customers. In addition, the component ratio (quantity) of sales
for each channel in 2022 is 24.5% for original equipment, 48.1% for replacements and 27.4% for exports.

Automobile
Manufacturers

Figure 16: Distribution channels

Original Equipment

Cars for Export
Cars for
Domestic Use

Tyre Manufacturers

Distributors

Replacement

Tyre Dealers

Tyre Specialty Shops
Logistics, Bus and Taxi
Companies / Government
and Municipal users

Car Dealers
Service Stations
Car Repair Shops

General customers

Automobile Parts Retailers
OthersExportDirect Export
Trading Companies

Figure 17: Trends in sales share of automobile tyres(based on unit)
100%

30.0%

30.1%

29.7%

28.9%

26.5%

26.6%

27.3%

25.9%

43.2%

43.4%

44.0%

45.2%

45.2%

44.7%

46.8%

26.7%

26.9%

27.1%

28.3%

28.2%

28.0%

27.3%

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

28.9%

27.4%

46.5%

48.1%

24.6%

24.5%

2021

2022

Export

80
42.8%
60

Replacement

40

20

0

18

27.2%
Original
equipment

2013

V. References

3. Raw Materials
More than 100 raw materials are used in the production of automobile tyres, including rubber, reinforcing agent, tyre cord,
compounding ingredients and bead wire.
The tyre composition in weight varies depending on the tyre category, but approximately half consists of rubber (natural
rubber 29% and synthetic rubber 19%), and the others are reinforcing agent 22%, tyre cord at 14% and so on.

Figure 18: Tyre raw material weight composition

Bead wire 4% (estimated value)
Compounding ingredients 12%(estimated value)

Tyre cord 14%
Steel cord 11%

Rubber 48%

Textile cord 3%

Natural rubber 29%
Synthetic rubber 19%

Reinforcing agent 22%

Table 16: Basic composition
Composition

ExamplesRubberNatural rubber, Synthetic rubber

Reinforcing agent

Carbon black, Silica

Tyre cord

Steel cord, Textile cord (Nylon, Polyester, Rayon, etc.)

Compounding ingredients

Vulcanizing agent, Vulcanizing accelerator, Vulcanizing accelerator aid, Antioxidant, Filler, Softener etc.

Bead wire19

4. Consumption of Rubber by Tyre and Tyre Products
According to IRSG (International Rubber Study Group) research, it was estimated that the total rubber consumption bytyre and tyre products of the world in 2022 was 17.05 million tons, decreased by 1% from the previous year.
By region, it was estimated that the Asia and Oceania regions account for more than 70% of the world’s rubber
consumption, among others, China and Japan account for 40% and 6%, respectively.

Table 18: Consumption of Rubber by Tyre and Tyre Products
2020

2022

Asia and Oceania

10,986

12,066

12,026100

71(China)(6,755)(7,131)(6,871)

(96)

(40)

(Japan)

(864)

(990)

(961)

(97)

(6)

Europe, Middle East and Africa

2,536

2,804

2,725

97

16

North, South and Central America

2,029

2,324

2,301

99

14

Total

15,55017,194

17,05299

100

Note: Each value is rounded, so the total doesn’t match.

20

2021

2020–2022: Unit: ×1,000 tons
composition
2022/2021(%)
ratio (%)

Source: IRSG “The World Rubber Industry Outlook” (February 2023)

Distribution of Member Companies’ (Full Members) Automobile Tyre Plants(July 2023)

Hikone Plant (Bridgestone)
Izumiohtsu Plant (Sumitomo)
Onomichi Plant (Yokohama)Sendai Plant (Toyo Tire)
Shirakawa Plant (Sumitomo)
Hofu Plant (Bridgestone)
Shimonoseki Plant (Bridgestone)
Kitakyushu Plant (Bridgestone)
Amagi Plant (Bridgestone)

Nasu Plant (Bridgestone)

Kurume Plant (Bridgestone)

Tochigi Plant (Bridgestone)

Tosu Plant (Bridgestone)

Tokyo AC Tire Plant (Bridgestone)
Mishima Plant (Yokohama)

Shinshiro Plant (Yokohama)
Shinshirominami Plant (Yokohama)
Nagoya Plant (Sumitomo)
Mie Plant (Yokohama)Miyazaki Plant (Sumitomo)

Kuwana Plant (Toyo Tire)

The Japan Automobile Tyre Manufacturers Association, Inc.
h ttp s ://w w w .j atma.or.j p/engl i sh/about/
Head Office

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General Affairs Department(General Affairs, Accounting)(Research and Statistics)(Public Relations)(Inspection • Accident Prevention)

Phone. 03-3435-9091
Phone. 03-3435-9095
Phone. 03-3435-9095
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Fax. 03-3435-9097
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Phone. 03-3832-8661
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Technical Department
Technical Department
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Branches
Hokkaido Branch
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Kyushu BranchJul. 2023

21

TYRE INDUSTRY
OF JAPAN

2023

w

ww

.jatma.j.orp