Japan had 9,993 bookstores as of the end of March 2026, falling below 10,000 for the first time and representing just over 40 percent of the peak in fiscal year 1998.
Data show the number of bookstores has been on a long-term decline. It has shrunk sharply from the peak in fiscal 1998.
The latest figure is based on a tally at the end of March. Industry observers point to shifting market conditions.
Online sales continue to affect the bookstore sector.
Die Zahl der unabhängigen Buchhandlungen in den Vereinigten Staaten ist laut Andy Hunter, CEO von Bookshop.org, im Vergleich zum Jahr 2000 um etwa 70 % gestiegen. Er führt diesen Aufschwung auf eine kulturelle Hinwendung zu analogen Lebensstilen und bücherorientierten Trends zurück. Das Wiederaufleben fällt zeitlich mit Veranstaltungen wie dem Independent Bookstore Day zusammen.
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