Japan’s second-hand smartphone market hits seventh consecutive record high
Data compiled by MM Research Institute shows 3.6 million units sold in the 2025 fiscal year as price pressures mount.
Sales of second-hand smartphones in Japan reached approximately 3.6 million units during the 2025 fiscal year, establishing a new benchmark for the seventh consecutive year. The figures, compiled by the private research firm MM Research Institute, indicate a sustained structural shift in consumer purchasing behaviour driven by the escalating cost of new hardware.
The data, released in July 2026, covers the period from April 2025 to March 2026. According to the institute, the surge in the secondary market is directly attributable to rising prices for new smartphones. As the cost of entry-level and mid-range devices increases, consumers are increasingly turning to refurbished units as a cost-effective alternative.
This trend underscores the growing institutional reliance on the secondary market for mobile technology. The consistent year-on-year growth suggests that price sensitivity is becoming a dominant factor in the Japanese consumer electronics sector, with the secondary market absorbing demand that might otherwise have remained unmet at current new-device price points.
While the aggregate volume has reached historic highs, the report does not provide a breakdown of sales by specific brand or model. Nor does it quantify the exact magnitude of price increases for new smartphones that triggered this shift. The data remains a retrospective analysis of completed fiscal year performance rather than a forecast for future market conditions.
The findings highlight the resilience of Japan’s second-hand electronics infrastructure. As manufacturers continue to adjust pricing strategies in response to broader economic factors, the secondary market appears poised to maintain its role as a critical component of the national telecommunications ecosystem.
