In 2023, the export value of alcoholic beverages will be approximately 133.7 billion yen(99.5% of the previous year’s figure), with an annual downward trend from the record high of 2022.
The export value of Whisky will be approximately 43.7 billion yen (87.2% of the previous year’s figure), and while the export value by category will remain the same as in 2020, the value of Whisky exports has decreased to almost compete with sake exports.
1. FY2024 Export Value of Alcoholic Beverages by Category
Exhibit: Ministry of Finance website
| Item | Export value (million yen) |
Year-on-year change (%) |
| Whisky | 43,651 | ▲12.8% |
| Sake | 43,469 | +5.9% |
| Beer | 21,045 | +17.5% |
| Liqueurs | 14,191 | +14.1% |
| Gin & Vodka | 3,912 | +4.1% |
| Shochu | 1,721 | +4.1% |
| Wine | 643 | +13.4% |
| Other | 5,109 | ▲26.3% |
| Total | 133,739 | ▲0.5% |
Whisky accounted for 34.6% of total export value ( 37.3% in the previous year). ( 37.3% in the previous year)
This result is lower than in 2021, when Whisky exports began to increase significantly.
Whisky and other alcoholic beverages are on a significant downward trend. Beer and liqueur exports are strong. The overall value of exports declined only slightly.
2. Top 10 Alcoholic Beverage Exporters in FY2024 (by country)
| Rank | Last Year’s Rank | Country |
Export value (million yen) |
Year on year (%) |
| 1st place | 2nd place↑ |
America | 26,468 | +11.6% |
| 2nd place | 1st place↓ |
China | 24,494 | ▲23.9% |
| 3rd place |
3rd |
South Korea | 16,944 | ＋18.7% |
| 4th place | 4th place→ |
Taiwan | 15,943 | ＋18.0% |
| 5th place |
5th |
Hong Kong | 10,313 | +9.2% |
| 6th place |
7th place↑ |
The Netherlands | 7,780 | +15.9% |
| 7th place | 6th place↓ |
Singapore | 7,757 | ＋0.8% |
| 8th place | 8th place→ |
Australia | 4,371 | ▲33.6% |
| 9th place |
9th |
France | 3,712 | ▲26.7% |
| 10th place | Out of range↑ | Vietnam | 1,719 | ▲3.2% |
Looking at exports of alcoholic beverages alone, the top ranking remains the same: the U.S. and China, but the rankings have switched, and exports have declined significantly due in part to economic instability in China.
The ROK ranked first in growth rate last year with 101.8%, but this year’s growth is 18.7%, but the growth is not as large as the year before last and the year before last.
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries comment
Exports to China decreased due to the withdrawal of operators due to the stricter definition of Japanese Whisky, shortage of sake, and the economic slowdown in China.
Is there some degree of restraint on the release of fake Whisky, etc.?
3.* Breakdown of Whisky exports to China in fiscal year 2023
Since the annual figures for 2024 have not been updated, the results for 2023 are shown.
| Rank | Country | Export value (million yen) | Year on year (%) |
| 1st place |
China | 13,200 | ▲32.7% |
| 2nd place |
U.S.A. | 10,550 | ▲4.0% |
| 3rd place |
The Netherlands | 5,890 | ＋89.5% |
| 4th place |
Singapore | 4,100 | ＋10.5% |
| 5th place |
France | 3,990 | ▲20.8% |
| – | Other | 12,350 | ー |
| Reference | EU | 10,780 | ＋19.7% |
Exhibit: Export of Agricultural, Forestry, Fishery and Food Products in 2023 (by category)
In 2023, exports decreased to 50.12 billion yen (-10.6% YoY). Exports to China are expected to decrease significantly due to the economic slowdown.
4. discussion and summary
Although exports to China have declined significantly, overall alcoholic beverage exports to other Asian markets are on a growth trend.
Although there is an overall trend of rising exports of types of products in January 2025, Japanese Whisky is still seen as a luxury product, and exports of beer, liqueur, and shochu are growing.
All distilleries belonging to the Japan Western Whisky Brewers Association produce and sell Whisky under the standard regarding the labeling of Japanese Whisky in Whisky from March 31, 2024. Recently, the Japan Whisky Association has established a logo mark and is moving toward a Geographical Indication (GI).
It is not known to what extent the Whisky was sold, but it is possible that Whisky exports are also decreasing due to the decline in faux Japaneses.
5. Domestic Whisky Trends
As of 2025, there are nearly 120 domestic distilleries in operation. Many construction plans have been announced, and several craft distillers have announced plans to build a second distillery.
The fact that the export volume is decreasing to some extent also means that the domestic supply is increasing, making it easier for Whisky lovers who are not looking to resell their Whisky to others to obtain domestically produced Whisky.
The increase in number has also increased the range of choices, and many whiskies expressing various styles and local terroirs are still being produced.
We hope that this JWD and our introductions and reviews of new distillery products will help you discover your favorite distilleries and consider making a purchase.
Lastly: Recommended Books on Japanese Whisky
If you want to learn more about Japanese whisky, which is a global trend, we highly recommend these books.
(1).Whisky Galore Vol.29 December 2021 issue
In the December 2021 issue of Whisky Galore, published by the Whisky Culture Research Institute, we report on 11 Japanese craft distilleries, including some that are open to the public for the first time, under the title of “Japanese Whisky Craft Frontline,” the first of three consecutive issues. Why did the popularity of Japanese whisky and the craft boom occur? We will examine with interviews. Chichibu Distillery / Chichibu No.2 Distillery / Mars Shinshu Distillery / Mars Tsunuki Distillery / Kanosuke Distillery / Hioki Distillery / Ontake Distillery / Osuzuyama Distillery / Kaikyo Distillery / Hanyu Distillery / Konosu Distillery
(2). Japanese Whisky as an Education for Business
This is a book written by Mamoru Tsuchiya, a world-famous whisky critic and representative of the Whisky Culture Research Institute, titled “Japanese Whisky as a Culture that Works for Business” .
The book covers the basics of whisky, the introduction of whisky to Japan, the birth of Japanese whisky, advertising strategies and the rise of Japanese whisky, and the current rise of craft distilleries. This is a book that summarizes Japanese whisky in a very easy to understand way.
(3). Whisky and I (Masataka Taketsuru)
Masataka Taketsuru, the founder of Nikka Whisky, devoted his life to brewing whisky in Japan. This is a revised and reprinted version of the autobiography of a man who simply loved whisky and talked about himself. The book vividly depicts the days when he went to Scotland alone to study as a young man and overcame many hardships to complete Japanese whisky, as well as his companion, Rita.
(4). A Letter of Challenge from a New Generation Distillery
Launching in 2019. With the world experiencing an unprecedented whisky boom, what were the managers of craft distilleries thinking and what were their thoughts as they took on the challenge of making whisky? This book tells the stories of 13 craft distillery owners, including Ichiro Hido of Venture Whisky, famous for his Ichirose Malt, who inspired the birth of craft distilleries in Japan.
(5). Whiskey Rising
This is the Japanese version of Whisky Risng, published in the US in 2016, with much updated content. Not only does it describe the history of Japanese whisky in detail, but it also includes data on all the distilleries in Japan, including the craft distilleries that have been founded in recent years. The book also includes descriptions of the legendary bottles that have been released, as well as information on bars where Japanese whisky can be found.
