Retail
The retail industry in Japan remained stable despite the continued strength of the U.S. dollar vs. the Japanese yen. To drive demand, retailers have strategically targeted the younger generation who seek easy-to-prepare, frozen, and ready-to-eat foods. The retail sector had sales total $198 billion in 2023 with increased demand in supermarkets, convenience stores, and drug stores.
Retail Sector Report
Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional (HRI) Food Service
In 2022, the total sales from the Japan food service industry increased 14.2 percent, totaling nearly $237 billion, representing double digit growth since December 2021. The recovery in the sector is largely attributed to the rebound in tourism, with visitors to Japan exceeding 2.3 million visitors, also boosting the recovery in restaurant sales in all categories. Japan’s food service industry will continue to depend on imported foods, and the U.S. is well positioned to continue supplying this segment.
Food Service – HRI Report
Food Processing Ingredients
Highlights of Japan’s food processing industry, notable trends, and a market snapshot of western Japan are reported here. The Japanese food processing industry is one of the world’s most advanced and sophisticated.
Japan’s food manufacturers produce a wide variety of products, from traditional foods to health-oriented foods for infants and the elderly. Production increases were seen in wheat flour, dairy, processed meats, and sugar categories.
Food Processing Ingredients Report
Health Foods
Japan’s health-related food market is one of the largest in the world. In recent years, the volume of companies marketing health food products has risen substantially. Significant opportunities exist for U.S. health foods manufacturers and ingredients suppliers. Specialty food buyers from sporting goods food manufacturers, gyms, sporting goods retailers, and drug stores, often seek new products. Read our Health Foods Market report for more details.
Health Foods Market Report
Organic Market
The Japanese organic market remains limited in scope, but industry insiders indicate that consumer interest in organics is increasing and that the growth potential of the market is significant. With the U.S.-Japan organic equivalency arrangement, U.S. exporters are well-positioned to take advantage of opportunities that the Japanese organic market may present. Read our Organic Market report for more details.
Organic Market Report
