Japan: Whisky Market
According to the statistics of the Japan Ministry of Finance, imports of whisky from the United States to Japan increased 21% from 9,807 kiloliters (kl) in 2014 to 11,854 kl in 2015. In 2015, total whisky imports to Japan reached a record high of 31,131 kl, up 21% from the previous year. Demand for whisky in Japan has increased due to copious amounts of domestic marketing and the growing recognition of the high quality of Japanese whisky. Reflecting the growing demand for high-end whisky in Japan, the U.S. Agricultural Trade Office (ATO) in Tokyo plans to hold a U.S. craft whisky Trade Showcase for U.S. craft distillers to market their spirits to Japanese bartenders and liquor markets. Although most Japanese consumers are not yet familiar with craft spirits and prefer well-known brands, opportunities for micro-distillers of quality craft whisky and spirits are expected to grow.
