Liquor

Europe is the leading exporter of liquor and wine worldwide and the Japanese alcoholic beverages market is one of the largest in the world, behind only China and the US, with estimated annual sales surpassing 3 trillion yen. Foreign liquor imports in 2024 was at 384 billion yen (according to Japan Customs). Among the total imports, Europe, including Turkey, represented about 80%. This, however, is only a mere 13% or the total Japanese market.

In 2024, imports of wines came in at 151 billion yen and 98 billion yen for sparkling wines, including champagnes. Together, they took up about 47% of total imports of alcoholic beverages. This is by far the biggest segment of alcohol. European whiskies are also an important category with a value of 57 billion yen in 2024, followed by wine-based spirits such as Cognac and brandies (7.13 billion yen in 2024). Traditional local categories such as sake, shochu, beer, umeshu (plum liqueurs) and local brandy will continue to decline, as the consumer base is shrinking and younger demographics find other, trendier categories more appealing, such as wines and champagnes.

Key issues and recommendations

Chairman

Mr. Bruno Yvon
President, MHD Moët Hennessy Diageo K.K.
Jinbocho Mitsui Bldg. 13F
1-105 Jinbocho
Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0051
Tel: +81-3-5217-9723
Fax: +81-3-5217-9751

Members

Upcoming committee meeting schedule

Please contact the EBC ([email protected]) to confirm the meeting location prior to attending

DATETIMELOCATION
2025
March 5 (Wednesday)08:30~hybrid
June 11 (Wednesday)08:30~hybrid
September 3 (Wednesday)08:30~hybrid
December 3 (Wednesday)08:30~hybrid