I-O Data and Verbatim Commit to Continuing Blu-ray Drive and Disc Production in Japan

• April 11, 2026

Despite a growing trend among tech companies to step back from Blu-ray technology, Japanese firms I-O Data and Verbatim are reaffirming their commitment to the format. As some prominent manufacturers like Elecom, Buffalo, and Sony reduce their involvement with Blu-ray, these two companies have announced plans to continue producing both Blu-ray drives and discs for the domestic market.

Continued Support for Blu-ray in a Shrinking Market

The demand for Blu-ray technology has seen a notable decline in recent years, as streaming services and other digital media solutions increasingly dominate the landscape. This shift has prompted several well-known Japanese companies to scale down or cease their Blu-ray hardware and disc offerings. However, I-O Data and Verbatim are positioning themselves to sustain production, underscoring their confidence in the technology’s ongoing relevance for certain user segments.

I-O Data and Verbatim’s renewed focus on Blu-ray products aims to address the needs of consumers and professionals who still rely on optical media for data storage and content distribution. By maintaining a steady supply of Blu-ray drives and discs, they seek to serve users who prefer physical media for archival, high-capacity storage, or compatibility reasons.

The collaboration between I-O Data and Verbatim also highlights a strategic effort to reinforce their market presence amid an industry contraction. Their partnership enables coordination in manufacturing and distribution, potentially helping to stabilize the availability of Blu-ray products within Japan despite shrinking demand elsewhere.

While Blu-ray technology no longer commands the widespread attention it once did, its specialized applications continue to create a niche market. The decision by I-O Data and Verbatim to persist with production supports these ongoing use cases and provides continuity for consumers who depend on optical drives and discs.

Details regarding future product specifications, pricing, or international availability of these Blu-ray drives and discs were not disclosed. However, the announcement itself marks a significant stance by two prominent players to resist the broader industry trend of moving away from physical media.

I-O Data and Verbatim have pledged to maintain their Blu-ray drive and disc production amid declining industry demand in Japan.