In 2021, Kirishima Shuzo was the leading clear Japanese liquor (shochu) manufacturer in Japan, with net sales amounting to around 58 billion Japanese yen. Since its founding in 1916, the distillery headquartered in Miyazaki Prefecture has expanded its portfolio to include the manufacturing of beer, low-malt beer (happoshu), and other spirits.
Shochu production – from rice to carrots
Shochu is a clear beverage that can be made from a variety of agricultural products. Typical ingredients include sweet potatoes and grains like rice or barley, which are the main segments covered by the portfolio of the industry leaders. Other possible ingredients include buckwheat, potatoes, carrots, and edible flower buds among others. Unlike sake, the other clear liquor of importance in the Japanese alcoholic beverage market, shochu goes through at least one distillation process before maturation. Japanese liquor tax laws separate products into two categories, singly distilled shochu and multiply distilled shochu, with single distillation showing a higher production volume in the domestic liquor market.
Shochu drinking culture
The clear, distilled liquor is widely available as a pure product in the Japanese retail market, packaged in plastic bottles, cans, paper cups, and glass bottles. Due to a variety in flavor profiles which is based on the main ingredients used in the fermentation process, it is a popular drink for casual drinking. It is commonly enjoyed on the rocks or watered down with water, tea, or fruit juice. Within the alcoholic beverage industry, shochu, particularly multiple distilled products, is used as a base for liqueur manufacturing by mixing additional flavors like syrups, herbs, and soft drinks into the distilled product. A staple of the liqueur segment are highballs, so-called chuhai. Commercially available as a ready-to-drink (RTD) product, the flavored mixed drink is a liquor choice for home drinking.
Net sales of the leading clear Japanese liquor (shochu) manufacturers in Japan in 2022
(in billion Japanese yen)
Net sales of the ten leading manufacturers as of the end of each companies' fiscal years. Including estimates.
100 Japanese yen equal 0.71 U.S. dollars or 0.64 euros as of January 2024.
Values have been rounded.
Profit from the additional features of your individual account
Currently, you are using a shared account. To use individual functions (e.g., mark statistics as favourites, set
statistic alerts) please log in with your personal account.
If you are an admin, please authenticate by logging in again.
Learn more about how Statista can support your business.
Teikoku Databank. (August 30, 2023). Net sales of the leading clear Japanese liquor (shochu) manufacturers in Japan in 2022 (in billion Japanese yen) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved December 06, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1172653/japan-major-shochu-manufacturer-by-net-sales/
Teikoku Databank. "Net sales of the leading clear Japanese liquor (shochu) manufacturers in Japan in 2022 (in billion Japanese yen)." Chart. August 30, 2023. Statista. Accessed December 06, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1172653/japan-major-shochu-manufacturer-by-net-sales/
Teikoku Databank. (2023). Net sales of the leading clear Japanese liquor (shochu) manufacturers in Japan in 2022 (in billion Japanese yen). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: December 06, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1172653/japan-major-shochu-manufacturer-by-net-sales/
Teikoku Databank. "Net Sales of The Leading Clear Japanese Liquor (Shochu) Manufacturers in Japan in 2022 (in Billion Japanese Yen)." Statista, Statista Inc., 30 Aug 2023, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1172653/japan-major-shochu-manufacturer-by-net-sales/
Teikoku Databank, Net sales of the leading clear Japanese liquor (shochu) manufacturers in Japan in 2022 (in billion Japanese yen) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1172653/japan-major-shochu-manufacturer-by-net-sales/ (last visited December 06, 2024)
Net sales of the leading clear Japanese liquor (shochu) manufacturers in Japan in 2022 (in billion Japanese yen) [Graph], Teikoku Databank, August 30, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1172653/japan-major-shochu-manufacturer-by-net-sales/