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Ready-to-Eat Meals - Japan

Japan
  • Revenue in the Ready-to-Eat Meals market amounts to US$64.63bn in 2025. The market is expected to grow annually by 0.92% (CAGR 2025-2030).
  • In global comparison, most revenue is generated China (US$164bn in 2025).
  • In relation to total population figures, per person revenues of US$525.02 are generated in 2025.
  • In the Ready-to-Eat Meals market, volume is expected to amount to 2.96bn kg by 2030. The Ready-to-Eat Meals market is expected to show a volume growth of 0.2% in 2026.
  • The average volume per person in the Ready-to-Eat Meals market is expected to amount to 23.8kg in 2025.

Definition:

The Ready-to-Eat Meals market covers prepared food and meals that can be eaten as is or after minimal preparation. These meals do not require cooking and are typically consumed after heating. These meals may also include disposable eating utensils. Classic frozen foods include meat, fish, vegetables, filled pasta, and frozen pizzas.

Additional Information:

The market comprises revenue and average revenue per capita, volume and average volume per capita, price per unit (unit refers to kilogram), sales channels. The market encompasses retail sales through both online and offline sales channels to private end customers (B2C). The market only covers at-home consumption; out-of-home consumption is not included.

For more information on the displayed data, click the info button on the right side of each box.

In-Scope
  • Ready-to-eat meals based on meat, fish or vegetables (e.g salads, sandwiches and wraps, sushi rolls)
  • Frozen pizzas, frozen dinners, frozen breakfast burritos, frozen ethnic foods
  • Frozen appetizers (e.g. spring rolls, dumplings, and chicken wings)
  • Filled pasta
  • Canned pasta meals, meal kits
  • Cup noodles, instant noodle, microwavable ramen bowls
Out-Of-Scope
  • Soups
  • Out-of-home consumption

Revenue

Notes: Data was converted from local currencies using average exchange rates of the respective year.

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Source: Statista Market Insights

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Source: Statista Market Insights

Volume

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Source: Statista Market Insights

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Source: Statista Market Insights

Price

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Source: Statista Market Insights

Demographics

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Sources: Statista Consumer Insights Global, Statista Market Insights

Sales Channels

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Source: Statista Market Insights

Global Comparison

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Source: Statista Market Insights

Analyst Opinion

The Ready-to-Eat Meals market in Japan is experiencing slow growth, influenced by factors such as changing consumer preferences, busy lifestyles, and limited product innovation. Despite the negligible growth rate, the Convenience Food market continues to expand due to the convenience and time-saving nature of these meals for busy individuals.

Customer preferences:
The convenience and efficiency of ready-to-eat meals have made them a popular choice among busy Japanese consumers. However, with the growing health consciousness and increasing concern over food safety, there has been a shift towards healthier and more natural options. This has led to the emergence of organic and plant-based ready-to-eat meals, catering to the growing demand for clean and nutritious food. Additionally, with the rise of single-person households and dual-income families, there is a growing demand for individual-sized and microwavable ready-to-eat meals, catering to the changing lifestyles and eating habits of Japanese consumers.

Trends in the market:
In Japan, the Ready-to-Eat Meals Market of the Convenience Food Market within The Food market is experiencing a surge in demand for healthier and more diverse options. Consumers are increasingly seeking out ready-to-eat meals that cater to specific dietary needs, such as vegetarian, gluten-free, and low-sugar options. This trend is driven by the growing health consciousness among Japanese consumers and the increasing availability of convenient, yet nutritious, ready-to-eat meals. As a result, food companies are investing in research and development to create innovative and healthier ready-to-eat meals to meet this demand. This trend is expected to continue, with the potential for even more personalized and customized options in the future. This presents an opportunity for industry stakeholders to tap into this growing market segment and cater to the evolving needs and preferences of Japanese consumers.

Local special circumstances:
In Japan, the Ready-to-Eat Meals Market within the Convenience Food Market of The Food market is heavily influenced by the country's high population density and fast-paced lifestyle. This has led to a high demand for quick and convenient meal options. Additionally, cultural norms such as the importance of presentation and freshness in food play a significant role in shaping the market. Strict food safety regulations also impact the production and distribution of ready-to-eat meals in Japan, ensuring high quality and safety standards. These unique factors contribute to the dynamic growth of the Ready-to-Eat Meals Market in Japan.

Underlying macroeconomic factors:
The Ready-to-Eat Meals Market of the Convenience Food Market within The Food market in Japan is greatly impacted by macroeconomic factors such as consumer preferences, disposable income, and overall economic conditions. With the recent economic growth and rising disposable income in Japan, there has been an increase in demand for convenient and time-saving food options, leading to the growth of the Ready-to-Eat Meals Market. Additionally, the changing lifestyles and busy work schedules of the Japanese population have also contributed to the market's growth. However, the market is also affected by factors such as inflation rates, currency exchange rates, and trade policies, which can impact the prices and availability of raw materials, ultimately affecting the market's performance.

Methodology

Data coverage:

The data encompasses B2C enterprises. Figures are based on the total consumer spending on food, which comprises all private household spending on food that is meant for at-home consumption (out-of-home consumption is not accounted for).

Modeling approach:

Market sizes are determined through a top-down approach, building on specific predefined factors for each market segment. As a basis for evaluating markets, we use resources from the Statista platform as well as in-house market research, national statistical offices, international institutions, trade associations, companies, the trade press, and the experience of our analysts. In addition, we use relevant key market indicators and data from country-specific associations, such as GDP, consumer spending, and consumer price index. This data helps us estimate the market size for each country individually.

Forecasts:

In our forecasts, we apply diverse forecasting techniques. The selection of forecasting techniques is based on the behavior of the relevant market. For example, the exponential trend smoothing is well suited for forecasting the Food market with a projected steady growth. The main drivers are GDP per capita and consumer spending per capita.

Additional notes:

The data is modeled using current exchange rates. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war are considered at a country-specific level. The market is updated twice a year.

Key Market Indicators

Notes: Based on data from IMF, World Bank, UN and Eurostat

Most recent update:

Source: Statista Market Insights

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