Japan’s bookstore landscape has reached a historic milestone—and not in a way many manga lovers hoped. According to a recent survey by the Japan Publishing Organization for Information Infrastructure Development (JPO), the number of bookstores operating across the country has fallen below 10,000 for the first time!

Traditional bookstores continue to face significant challenges as demand for printed publications declines. This will make it harder for some to find the manga they really love at retail prices.

2025 saw the closure of 424 bookstores. In 1998, Japan’s bookstore numbered 24,237 stores nationwide. Today, that number has fallen to just over 40 percent of its peak, reflecting decades of change driven by digital technology, online shopping, and evolving reading habits.

In response to the ongoing decline, the Japanese government unveiled a bookstore revitalization initiative last June. The program focuses on modernizing operations and improving efficiency, including the adoption of IC-tag technology for inventory management. A growing number of bookstores have already begun implementing these upgrades in an effort to remain competitive in an increasingly digital marketplace.

Let’s hope that this trend changes, as I really want to continue finding manga outside of convenience stores and online.