Alcoholic Drinks in Japan

Although the impact of price hikes resulted in positive growth for alcoholic drinks in Japan in total value terms in 2024, total volume sales continued to see a slight decline, due to the declining population, and Japan being one of the fastest ageing populations globally.

Euromonitor International's Alcoholic Drinks in Japan report offers a comprehensive guide to the size and shape of the market at a national level. It provides the latest retail sales data (2020-2024), allowing you to identify the sectors driving growth. It identifies the leading companies, the leading brands and offers strategic analysis of key factors influencing the market - be they legislative, distribution or pricing issues. Forecasts to 2029 illustrate how the market is set to change.

Product coverage: Beer, Cider/Perry, RTDs, Spirits, Wine.

Data coverage: market sizes (historic and forecasts), company shares, brand shares and distribution data.

Why buy this report?
* Get a detailed picture of the Alcoholic Drinks market;
* Pinpoint growth sectors and identify factors driving change;
* Understand the competitive environment, the market’s major players and leading brands;
* Use five-year forecasts to assess how the market is predicted to develop.


Alcoholic Drinks in Japan
Euromonitor International
June 2025
List Of Contents And Tables
ALCOHOLIC DRINKS IN JAPAN
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Alcoholic drinks in 2024: The big picture
2024 key trends
Competitive landscape
Retail developments
On-trade vs off-trade split
What next for alcoholic drinks?
MARKET BACKGROUND
Legislation
Legal purchasing age and legal drinking age
Drink-driving
Advertising
Smoking ban
Opening hours
On-trade establishments
TAXATION AND DUTY LEVIES
OPERATING ENVIRONMENT
Contraband/parallel trade
Duty free
Cross-border/private imports
KEY NEW PRODUCT LAUNCHES
MARKET INDICATORS
Table 1 Retail Consumer Expenditure on Alcoholic Drinks 2019-2024
MARKET DATA
Table 2 Sales of Alcoholic Drinks by Category: Total Volume 2019-2024
Table 3 Sales of Alcoholic Drinks by Category: Total Value 2019-2024
Table 4 Sales of Alcoholic Drinks by Category: % Total Volume Growth 2019-2024
Table 5 Sales of Alcoholic Drinks by Category: % Total Value Growth 2019-2024
Table 6 Sales of Alcoholic Drinks by Category by Off-trade vs On-trade: Value 2024
Table 7 Sales of Alcoholic Drinks by Category by Off-trade vs On-trade: % Volume 2024
Table 8 Sales of Alcoholic Drinks by Category by Off-trade vs On-trade: % Value 2024
Table 9 GBO Company Shares of Alcoholic Drinks: % Total Volume 2020-2024
Table 10 Distribution of Alcoholic Drinks by Format: % Off-trade Value 2019-2024
Table 11 Distribution of Alcoholic Drinks by Format and by Category: % Off-trade Volume 2024
Table 12 Forecast Sales of Alcoholic Drinks by Category: Total Volume 2024-2029
Table 13 Forecast Sales of Alcoholic Drinks by Category: Total Value 2024-2029
Table 14 Forecast Sales of Alcoholic Drinks by Category: % Total Volume Growth 2024-2029
Table 15 Forecast Sales of Alcoholic Drinks by Category: % Total Value Growth 2024-2029
DISCLAIMER
SOURCES
Summary 1 Research Sources
BEER IN JAPAN
KEY DATA FINDINGS
2024 DEVELOPMENTS
Continued decline due to the poor performance of economy lager
Asahi leads beer, while Sapporo gains share
Supermarkets remains the leading distribution channel in 2024
PROSPECTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
Total volume sales of beer expected to decline, although non-alcoholic beer will perform well
Players focus on experiences
Increasing sustainable innovation
CATEGORY BACKGROUND
Lager price band methodology
Summary 2 Lager by Price Band 2024
CATEGORY DATA
Table 16 Sales of Beer by Category: Total Volume 2019-2024
Table 17 Sales of Beer by Category: Total Value 2019-2024
Table 18 Sales of Beer by Category: % Total Volume Growth 2019-2024
Table 19 Sales of Beer by Category: % Total Value Growth 2019-2024
Table 20 Sales of Beer by Off-trade vs On-trade: Volume 2019-2024
Table 21 Sales of Beer by Off-trade vs On-trade: Value 2019-2024
Table 22 Sales of Beer by Off-trade vs On-trade: % Volume Growth 2019-2024
Table 23 Sales of Beer by Off-trade vs On-trade: % Value Growth 2019-2024
Table 24 Sales of Beer by Craft vs Standard 2019-2024
Table 25 GBO Company Shares of Beer: % Total Volume 2020-2024
Table 26 NBO Company Shares of Beer: % Total Volume 2020-2024
Table 27 LBN Brand Shares of Beer: % Total Volume 2021-2024
Table 28 Forecast Sales of Beer by Category: Total Volume 2024-2029
Table 29 Forecast Sales of Beer by Category: Total Value 2024-2029
Table 30 Forecast Sales of Beer by Category: % Total Volume Growth 2024-2029
Table 31 Forecast Sales of Beer by Category: % Total Value Growth 2024-2029
WINE IN JAPAN
KEY DATA FINDINGS
2024 DEVELOPMENTS
Continued decline in total volumes as sales are hit by price increases
Premiumisation in sake to drive value sales as volumes decline
On-trade sales and share struggle to rebound fully
PROSPECTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
Continued decline anticipated, although non-alcoholic wine set to see growth
Expanding the consumer base will be key for sake
More “ageing care” wines likely to emerge and gain popularity
CATEGORY DATA
Table 32 Sales of Wine by Category: Total Volume 2019-2024
Table 33 Sales of Wine by Category: Total Value 2019-2024
Table 34 Sales of Wine by Category: % Total Volume Growth 2019-2024
Table 35 Sales of Wine by Category: % Total Value Growth 2019-2024
Table 36 Sales of Wine by Off-trade vs On-trade: Volume 2019-2024
Table 37 Sales of Wine by Off-trade vs On-trade: Value 2019-2024
Table 38 Sales of Wine by Off-trade vs On-trade: % Volume Growth 2019-2024
Table 39 Sales of Wine by Off-trade vs On-trade: % Value Growth 2019-2024
Table 40 Sales of Still Red Wine by Price Segment: % Off-trade Volume 2019-2024
Table 41 Sales of Still Rosé Wine by Price Segment: % Off-trade Volume 2019-2024
Table 42 Sales of Still White Wine by Price Segment: % Off-trade Volume 2019-2024
Table 43 Sales of Other Sparkling Wine by Price Segment: % Off-trade Volume 2019-2024
Table 44 GBO Company Shares of Still Light Grape Wine: % Total Volume 2020-2024
Table 45 NBO Company Shares of Still Light Grape Wine: % Total Volume 2020-2024
Table 46 LBN Brand Shares of Still Light Grape Wine: % Total Volume 2021-2024
Table 47 GBO Company Shares of Champagne: % Total Volume 2020-2024
Table 48 NBO Company Shares of Champagne: % Total Volume 2020-2024
Table 49 LBN Brand Shares of Champagne: % Total Volume 2021-2024
Table 50 GBO Company Shares of Other Sparkling Wine: % Total Volume 2020-2024
Table 51 NBO Company Shares of Other Sparkling Wine: % Total Volume 2020-2024
Table 52 LBN Brand Shares of Other Sparkling Wine: % Total Volume 2021-2024
Table 53 GBO Company Shares of Fortified Wine and Vermouth: % Total Volume 2020-2024
Table 54 NBO Company Shares of Fortified Wine and Vermouth: % Total Volume 2020-2024
Table 55 LBN Brand Shares of Fortified Wine and Vermouth: % Total Volume 2021-2024
Table 56 GBO Company Shares of Non-grape Wine: % Total Volume 2020-2024
Table 57 NBO Company Shares of Non-grape Wine: % Total Volume 2020-2024
Table 58 LBN Brand Shares of Non-grape Wine: % Total Volume 2021-2024
Table 59 Forecast Sales of Wine by Category: Total Volume 2024-2029
Table 60 Forecast Sales of Wine by Category: Total Value 2024-2029
Table 61 Forecast Sales of Wine by Category: % Total Volume Growth 2024-2029
Table 62 Forecast Sales of Wine by Category: % Total Value Growth 2024-2029
SPIRITS IN JAPAN
KEY DATA FINDINGS
2024 DEVELOPMENTS
Spirits continues to decline due to poor performance of shochu/soju
Suntory Spirits Ltd continues to lead spirits in Japan
On-trade sales and share continue to rebound in 2024, but remain low compared with 2019
PROSPECTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
Continued decline expected, as many younger consumers favour drinks other than shochu/soju
Popularity of whiskies set to continue to rise
Shochu/soju will need to attract a younger consumer group to end its struggles
CATEGORY BACKGROUND
Vodka, gin, other blended Scotch whisky, dark rum and white rum price band methodology
Summary 3 Benchmark Brands 2024
CATEGORY DATA
Table 63 Sales of Spirits by Category: Total Volume 2019-2024
Table 64 Sales of Spirits by Category: Total Value 2019-2024
Table 65 Sales of Spirits by Category: % Total Volume Growth 2019-2024
Table 66 Sales of Spirits by Category: % Total Value Growth 2019-2024
Table 67 Sales of Spirits by Off-trade vs On-trade: Volume 2019-2024
Table 68 Sales of Spirits by Off-trade vs On-trade: Value 2019-2024
Table 69 Sales of Spirits by Off-trade vs On-trade: % Volume Growth 2019-2024
Table 70 Sales of Spirits by Off-trade vs On-trade: % Value Growth 2019-2024
Table 71 Sales of Dark Rum by Price Platform: % Total Volume 2019-2024
Table 72 Sales of White Rum by Price Platform: % Total Volume 2019-2024
Table 73 Sales of Other Blended Scotch Whisky by Price Platform: % Total Volume 2019-2024
Table 74 Sales of English Gin by Price Platform: % Total Volume 2019-2024
Table 75 Sales of Vodka by Price Platform: % Total Volume 2019-2024
Table 76 Sales of Vodka by Flavoured vs Non-flavoured: % Total Volume 2019-2024
Table 77 GBO Company Shares of Spirits: % Total Volume 2020-2024
Table 78 NBO Company Shares of Spirits: % Total Volume 2020-2024
Table 79 LBN Brand Shares of Spirits: % Total Volume 2021-2024
Table 80 Forecast Sales of Spirits by Category: Total Volume 2024-2029
Table 81 Forecast Sales of Spirits by Category: Total Value 2024-2029
Table 82 Forecast Sales of Spirits by Category: % Total Volume Growth 2024-2029
Table 83 Forecast Sales of Spirits by Category: % Total Value Growth 2024-2029
CIDER/PERRY IN JAPAN
KEY DATA FINDINGS
2024 DEVELOPMENTS
Decline continues for cider, but the consumer base has expanded
Nikka Whisky Distilling Co Ltd remains the leading player in cider/perry
Cider is less widely distributed than other alcoholic drinks; food/drink/tobacco specialists dominates
PROSPECTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
Low consumer awareness of cider will be an issue to be addressed
Cider should be a good match with the low alcohol trend
Craft cider/perry trend set to continue
CATEGORY DATA
Table 84 Sales of Cider/Perry: Total Volume 2019-2024
Table 85 Sales of Cider/Perry: Total Value 2019-2024
Table 86 Sales of Cider/Perry: % Total Volume Growth 2019-2024
Table 87 Sales of Cider/Perry: % Total Value Growth 2019-2024
Table 88 Sales of Cider/Perry by Off-trade vs On-trade: Volume 2019-2024
Table 89 Sales of Cider/Perry by Off-trade vs On-trade: Value 2019-2024
Table 90 Sales of Cider/Perry by Off-trade vs On-trade: % Volume Growth 2019-2024
Table 91 Sales of Cider/Perry by Off-trade vs On-trade: % Value Growth 2019-2024
Table 92 GBO Company Shares of Cider/Perry: % Total Volume 2020-2024
Table 93 NBO Company Shares of Cider/Perry: % Total Volume 2020-2024
Table 94 LBN Brand Shares of Cider/Perry: % Total Volume 2021-2024
Table 95 Forecast Sales of Cider/Perry: Total Volume 2024-2029
Table 96 Forecast Sales of Cider/Perry: Total Value 2024-2029
Table 97 Forecast Sales of Cider/Perry: % Total Volume Growth 2024-2029
Table 98 Forecast Sales of Cider/Perry: % Total Value Growth 2024-2029
RTDS IN JAPAN
KEY DATA FINDINGS
2024 DEVELOPMENTS
Solid growth thanks to the health and wellness trend and changing beer taxes
Suntory continues to lead RTDs, but Asahi sees stronger dynamism
Changing consumer habits limit on-trade rebound; off-trade, supermarkets remains dominant
PROSPECTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
RTDs expected to continue its growth trend thanks to wide product variety
Premiumisation will be key for value growth
Increase in sustainable innovations likely
CATEGORY DATA
Table 99 Sales of RTDs by Category: Total Volume 2019-2024
Table 100 Sales of RTDs by Category: Total Value 2019-2024
Table 101 Sales of RTDs by Category: % Total Volume Growth 2019-2024
Table 102 Sales of RTDs by Category: % Total Value Growth 2019-2024
Table 103 Sales of RTDs by Off-trade vs On-trade: Volume 2019-2024
Table 104 Sales of RTDs by Off-trade vs On-trade: Value 2019-2024
Table 105 Sales of RTDs by Off-trade vs On-trade: % Volume Growth 2019-2024
Table 106 Sales of RTDs by Off-trade vs On-trade: % Value Growth 2019-2024
Table 107 GBO Company Shares of RTDs: % Total Volume 2020-2024
Table 108 NBO Company Shares of RTDs: % Total Volume 2020-2024
Table 109 LBN Brand Shares of RTDs: % Total Volume 2021-2024
Table 110 Forecast Sales of RTDs by Category: Total Volume 2024-2029
Table 111 Forecast Sales of RTDs by Category: Total Value 2024-2029
Table 112 Forecast Sales of RTDs by Category: % Total Volume Growth 2024-2029
Table 113 Forecast Sales of RTDs by Category: % Total Value Growth 2024-2029

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