As gold prices rise, young people in Japan are entering the market, and the recycling industry is experiencing a boom due to increased interest in gold buying and selling.
In March, gold retail prices surged to 30,000 yen per gram in Japan, creating a newfound interest among the younger demographic in trading and investing in gold. This rising popularity has not only attracted customers to gold dealers but has also influenced the used goods market, indicating a shift in consumer demographics. The recycling industry is thriving, particularly in the business of extracting gold from jewelry and other trades, showcasing a greater appreciation for precious metals such as gold among younger generations.
Customers seeking to sell gold, such as a man in his twenties from Saitama who evaluated a gold ring purchased years prior, illustrate this trend. He mentioned that he hoped to profit from selling the ring due to the rising gold prices and was visiting multiple stores to find the best offers. There is a notable increase in inquiries from people in their twenties and thirties, who are now actively engaging in gold transactions, which was not the case previously. These younger buyers expressed desires to sell their existing gold pieces to reinvest in new jewelry, indicating a growing trend toward valuing gold as an asset.
According to Kohei, a major player in the recycling sector, the number of transactions for buying used precious metals increased by 20% year-on-year as of December 2025, with the average transaction value rising significantly. This reflects a broader market response to gold's increasing prices, emphasizing the significance of gold as a tradeable asset. Such developments could have long-term implications for the precious metals market in Japan, influencing investment strategies among younger generations and altering the landscape of the jewelry and recycling industries.
