Cloud Database Usage in Japan – with Global Market Comparison(As of 2025)
Cloud Database Usage in Japan – with Global Market Comparison
(As of 2025)
Key Characteristics of the Japanese Cloud Database Market
- Top three cloud providers (AWS, Azure, GCP) dominate with ~85% market share
- AWS: ~37%
- Azure: ~31%
- GCP: ~16%
- Relational databases remain the primary choice
- Common in system modernization and enterprise core systems.
- Key drivers for adoption
- Strong cloud adoption in large enterprises, finance, and government sectors.
- Cloud favored for security, compliance, and disaster recovery needs.
- Multi-cloud and hybrid cloud architectures on the rise
- Growing adoption of NoSQL and data warehouse platforms
(e.g., BigQuery, Redshift, Snowflake)
Comparison with the Global Market
| Aspect | Japan Market Characteristics | Global Market Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Major Vendor Share | Top 3 providers account for over 80%, AWS slightly ahead. | Similar dominance, though more regional variation. |
| Industry Adoption | Cloud gaining traction in finance, government, and large enterprise | Tech, e-commerce dominant in North America; broader diversification. |
| Regulatory Influence | Strict data governance and security push cloud adoption cautiously | GDPR (Europe), data sovereignty in China, localized cloud growth. |
| On-Premises Presence | Higher residual on-prem systems, especially in legacy/core areas | Faster cloud-only transitions in the US and EU enterprises. |
| Tech & Usage Trends | Relational DB dominant, NoSQL and AI workloads increasing | Strong trends toward multi-cloud, serverless, and open-source DBs. |
On-Premises (Self-Managed) Operations – Key Takeaways
- Cloud shift is mainstream in both Japan and globally
- On-prem remains in sensitive sectors (finance, healthcare, public)
- New deployments by SMEs and startups are nearly all cloud-based
- Fully self-managed datacenters are declining steadily
Summary
Cloud database adoption is now the default across both Japan and global markets. However, Japan shows a more cautious approach with relatively stronger on-premises retention in specific industries. At the same time, trends like multi-cloud architecture, AI/data analytics, and NoSQL adoption are rapidly gaining ground, in alignment with global developments.
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