In the first half of 2026, wine import volume slipped 0.72% from a year earlier, while value rose 5.8% as average prices increased. Japan also imported more wine than mainland China, retaining its position as Asia’s largest wine import market. Read More
Japan
Strong sales in Japan and India helped Suntory’s alcohol revenue return to growth, but weakening US demand, distributor destocking and rising supply-chain costs dealt a sharp blow to profits. Read More
Beyond the exhibition halls, perhaps the clearest message from ProWine Tokyo was that Japan remains unusually receptive to new ideas. Read More
China and Japan relations have come under renewed strains but its sake ties are strengthening. Read More
ProWine Tokyo 2026 will open next week with nearly 200 exhibitors from 23 countries, as Japan’s largest wine and spirits trade fair continues to position itself as a key gateway to one of Asia’s most premium-driven markets. Read More
Shipments of Japanese alcoholic beverages denied entry into China surged sharply in January, according to Chinese customs data, as political tensions between the two countries intensify. Read More
Premium demand and a weaker yen drive Japan's higher import value despite a slight drop in shipments. Read More
With Japan set to slash beer taxes in 2026 and erase long-standing price advantages for low-malt alternatives, Suntory is moving early, retooling its bestselling Kinmugi … Read More
The CEO of global beverage giant Suntory Holdings has stepped down after police discovered a supplement containing a controlled substance at his Tokyo home, ending the 66-year old veteran executive’s 11-year tenure at the Japanese drinks giant. Read More
Japan’s wine imports edged higher in value during the first half of 2025, defying a marginal dip in volume thanks largely to robust demand for French wine led by Champagne. Read More