Alcoholic beer market in Japan

Earlier Report Observations

The Japanese alcoholic beer market contracted from 2 663 million liters in 2018 to 1 968 million liters in 2020. This decline was initially influenced by the growing consumer shift toward low-alcohol ready-to-drink beverages like chuhai and highball, which captured a significant share of beer-type consumption by 2018.

After a modest recovery to 2 012 million liters in 2021, the market volume fell again, reaching 1 905 million liters by 2023. A major driver in 2023 was the October revision of the Liquor Tax Law, which lowered taxes on beer and happoshu but raised them on the 'third beer' category, causing a sharp contraction in that segment and pulling down total market volume.

The 2023 tax reform accelerated a structural shift in the market. Consumer preferences moved toward premium beers, whisky, and fruit-flavored beers, while rising raw material and logistics costs prompted industry-wide price increases, transitioning the market toward a value-driven model amid continued volume decline.

Production alcoholic beer in Japan

In kind, 2018-2021, M l

Japan was among the world's leading producers of alcoholic beer from 2018 to 2021, ranking 15th globally by production volume.

Top producers of alcoholic beer, 2018-2021

World map of production of alcoholic beer, 2018-2021

Japan's alcoholic beer production increased in 2021 after two consecutive years of decline. The country produced 2 029 million liters of alcoholic beer in 2021, marking a slight increase of 2.7% compared to 2020. However, over the entire 2018-2021 period, production decreased by 26.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -9.6%. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2020 at 1 976 million liters, which also saw the largest decline of 23.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Japan in kind, 2018-2021, M l

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Japan's alcoholic beer production value rose in 2021 following a two-year decline. In 2021, the output of alcoholic beer was valued at 2 367 million US dollars, representing a moderate increase of 6.8% compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, production value decreased by 13.7%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -4.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 2 216 million US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 with an 11.7% drop.

Annual dynamics of production in Japan in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Exports alcoholic beer from Japan

Exports in kind, M l

Japan's volume of alcoholic beer exports increased in 2021 after two years of decrease. Exports reached 57.5 million liters in 2021, showing a significant gain of 19.1% compared to the previous year. However, between 2018 and 2021, exports decreased by 50.8%, equating to an annualized rate of -21.0%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2020 at 48.3 million liters, which also experienced the largest decline of 46.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Japan in kind, 2018-2021, M l

From 2018 to 2021, South Korea (45.7% of exports in volume), Asia, not elsewhere specified (20.1% of exports in volume), and Australia (9.0% of exports in volume) were the leading destinations for Japan's alcoholic beer exports in kind, collectively accounting for 74.8% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Japan in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

Alcoholic beer exports from Japan increased in 2021 after a two-year decline. Japan exported 67.1 million US dollars worth of alcoholic beer in 2021, showing a 23.9% increase year-over-year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports decreased by 42.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -16.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 54.1 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 35.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Japan in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In 2018-2021, South Korea (37.0% of exports in value terms), Asia, not elsewhere specified (18.7% of exports in value terms), and Australia (8.8% of exports in value terms) were the principal buyers of alcoholic beer from Japan, jointly accounting for 64.5% of total exports in value terms.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Japan in value, 2018-2021

Imports alcoholic beer to Japan

Imports in kind, M l

Japan's alcoholic beer imports in kind totaled 40.6 million liters in 2021, reflecting a slight rise of 0.8% compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports increased by 20.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 6.5%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 43.9 million liters, which also saw the largest increase of 30.7%. The largest decline occurred in 2020 with an 8.2% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Japan in kind, 2018-2021, M l

Throughout 2018-2021, the United States (23.9% of imports in volume), Mexico (22.2% of imports in volume), and South Korea (9.8% of imports in volume) were the main sources for Japan's alcoholic beer imports in kind, collectively representing 55.8% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Japan in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

Japan's alcoholic beer imports in value terms reached 63.1 million US dollars in 2021, which is 7.6% higher compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, imports increased by 14.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 66.0 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 19.6%. The largest decline occurred in 2020 with an 11.1% decrease.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Japan in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Over 2018-2021, the United States (21.3% of imports in value terms), Mexico (18.8% of imports in value terms), and Ireland (13.1% of imports in value terms) stood out as the main markets for Japan's alcoholic beer imports in value terms, together accounting for 53.2% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Japan in value, 2018-2021