Mobile Manga Market in Japan to Reach 71 Billion Yen by 2012

According to a report from the market research and consulting company Seed Planning, Japan's e-book market experienced tremendous growth in 2006 as a result of the popularity of mobile manga. The report estimates that the e-manga market will continue to grow throughout 2007, and will reach 71 billion yen by 2012.

According to the report, Japan's e-book market tripled in 2006, reaching 28 billion yen. E-manga occupied over 2/3 of the e-book market at 19 billion yen, 5 times as much as 2005's 4 billion yen.

A further look at the e-manga market reveals that 87% (16.5 billion yen) of the market is occupied by cell-phone manga.

The report predicts the e-book market will reach the 40 billion mark in 2007, and by 2012 93 billion yen, 71 billion of which will be e-manga. As a result, the e-manga market will occupy 14% of Japan's 500 billion yen manga market.

The report from Seed Planning was based on figures provided by e-manga services and publishers, mobile phone companies and other related enterprises. The investigation was conducted from March to May 2007.