What You Need to Know
• Shin Ohta, a sales representative at Lucky Industries, developed a dog hip carrier after struggling to carry his poodle.
• Lucky Industries launched its first line of dog hip carriers, named Nu-i, in 2022.
• Japan’s pet care market was valued at 880 billion yen ($5.4 billion) in 2025, reflecting a growing trend.
Shin Ohta, a sales representative for Lucky Industries, created a dog hip carrier after facing challenges carrying his toy poodle during walks in Ikeda, Gifu Prefecture. After consulting a veterinarian, Ohta assisted in launching the Nu-i line of dog hip carriers in 2022. This year, Lucky Industries participated in the Interpets conference in Tokyo, showcasing products in Japan’s expanding pet care market. The event highlighted the increasing popularity of pet-related items, with pets now outnumbering children under 15 by over 2 million in Japan. Market intelligence indicates that the pet care sector’s value rose from 689.6 billion yen ($4.2 billion) in 2020 to 880 billion yen ($5.4 billion) in 2025.
Why It Matters
The rise of the pet care market in Japan is significant due to the country’s declining birthrate and shrinking child population. Companies that traditionally focused on baby products are now pivoting to pet care, reflecting changing consumer demographics and preferences. The Interpets conference serves as a platform for showcasing innovations in pet products, indicating a robust market trend. As the pet care industry continues to grow, it presents new opportunities for businesses and highlights evolving societal values regarding pet ownership.
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