Browse Data and Analysis

The Japanese food market was valued at $424 billion in 2023 with retail sales accounting for $198 billion (47 percent) and foodservice sales accounting for $226 billion (53 percent).

Sales in Japan’s frozen food market have been increasing year by year, reaching a record high in 2023.

The Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA) of Japan proposed revisions of Japan’s maximum residue levels for five agricultural chemicals (Esprocarb, Ethaboxam, Picarbutrazox, Polyoxorim zinc, and Trifloxystrobin) for various agricultural commodities.

The 2024 U.S. Agricultural Export Yearbook provides a statistical summary of U.S. agricultural commodity exports to the world during the 2024 calendar year.

In March 2025, ATO Tokyo organized a USA Pavilion at FOODEX Japan, one of the largest international trade-only food shows in Asia that provides a strong venue for U.S. food companies to find importers and increase distribution in Japan and other Asian markets.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) invites public comments on three different proposed Japan Agricultural Standard (JAS) revisions until May 17, 2025.

On April 16, 2025, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) of the Government of Japan opened a domestic public comment period on its revision of the safety regulations of feeds and feed additives produced with biotechnology.

The Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA) of Japan proposed revisions of Japan’s maximum residue levels for four agricultural chemicals (Butachlor, Etofenprox, Spinetoram, and Prallethrin) for various agricultural commodities.

On April 1, 2025, Japan formally lifted the mandatory aflatoxin testing requirements on U.S. almonds compliant with the new almond export protocol.

This report highlights the harmonization of specific liquor taxes on alcoholic beverages that took effect on Oct.1st, 2024. U.S. exports of these products are not directly affected, but exporters should be aware of these changes.

The Government of Japan (GOJ) through its Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA), has opened the public comment period for revisions it is proposing to the specifications for sterilized or sterile filtered mineral water to include specifications for perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA).

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) has taken extraordinary steps to alleviate high rice prices that have continued to increase since the domestic rice shortage in summer 2024.