the demand of automotive glass in japan has seen an impressive uptick over the past few years, due to an array of factors. in response, many companies have ramped up their production of automotive glass in the form of windshields, rearview mirrors, and other related components. starting with the automotive industry, it is clear that the demand for new cars has been steadily growing in japan. with the advent of new technologies and the rising trend for advanced safety features, which are associated with automotive glass, the need for auto glass has increased significantly. additionally, the loosening of emission regulations, as well as the introduction of japan's 2020 emission-reduction goals are both contributing to the increased demand for automotive glass. there have also been some major developments in terms of the usage of glass materials themselves, specifically in terms of the weight and strength of the materials used. with the emergence of newly developed lightweight materials, the strength of the automotive glass is increasingly becoming a factor of consideration for prospective buyers. an increase in the efficiency and durability of the glass is expected to improve the overall customer experience while driving. the competitive landscape in the automotive glass market is also expected to become increasingly intense due to the entrance of several new players in the industry. as such, it is expected that existing domestic players will focus on technology upgrades, product developments, and brand building activities in order to become successful. in addition to the competition within the industry, the automotive glass market is also subject to external forces such as government policies, changing dynamics of raw materials prices, and a shift in the regional demand for automotive glass. as such, companies need to be well-aware of these external factors and the impact they have on the demand for auto glass in japan. looking further ahead over the next decade, a number of changes in the automotive glass market are anticipated. it is expected that the demand for both automotive glass as well as the demand for the accompanying materials will rise significantly, while the technologies used to create automotive glass will continue to advance. the presence of new players in the industry will also support the demand for greater product innovation and differentiation. finally, the japanese amateur automotive glass market is expected to continue to expand, with new designs and styles entering the market.