Alcohol drinking guideline and content labelling

Committee:
Liquor
status:
Some progress
Published:
In March 2021, a Cabinet decision mandated that the National Tax Agency (NTA) should promptly consider including alcohol content in grams on bottles and cans. Following this decision, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) published the "Guidelines on Health-Conscious Drinking" in February 2024. These guidelines detail the potential health risks associated with harmful alcohol consumption and emphasize the need to consider individual health conditions when consuming alcohol. The guidelines define net alcohol intake thresholds that increase the risk of lifestyle diseases: For men: 40 grams or more per day; and for women: 20 grams or more per day. While the guidelines provide a framework for understanding alcohol-related health risks, the specific details on how to display pure alcohol content in grams on product packaging are yet to be confirmed.

Recommendations

  • The European Business Council (EBC) supports Japan's implementation of specific guidelines.
  • The EBC urges Japan to follow international standards on serving units for alcohol gram presentation to ensure consistency and clarity for consumers.
These steps reflect good progress in aligning Japan's alcohol consumption guidelines and labeling practices with international health standards, promoting informed and responsible drinking habits among consumers.
  • The EBC supports Japan implemented specific guideline, and urges Japan to follow international standards on serving unit for alcohol gram presentation.