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In fiscal year 2022, Asahi Group Holdings was the leading processed food manufacturer listed on the Tokyo Stock Price Index in Japan, with sales exceeding *** trillion Japanese yen. The top three food processors were major beer brewers within the Japanese alcoholic beverages market.

The role of alcoholic beverages in manufacturing

Even though it is not the largest industry within food manufacturing, alcoholic beverage manufacturing is the root of large food processors that started as brewers and distillers. Sake, made from fermented rice, is an iconic beverage as the national liquor of Japan. However, beer and liqueurs have usurped the position as the most produced alcoholic beverage, and enjoy high popularity among Japanese consumers for casual drinking. Asahi Group was a driver for the popularity of beer in Japan, especially dry beers, which remains their core business segment to date.

Food manufacturing in Japan

Japan is home to a 90-trillion-yen food industry that contributes over ** trillion yen of value added to the gross domestic product. Food manufacturing makes up around one-third of the industry, carried by secondary and tertiary processing. The industry plays an important role in the economy of Hokkaido Prefecture, where the largest food manufacturing industry in Japan is located. As a key producing region for agricultural products and marine fishery, Hokkaido supplies the country with major manufactured foods like frozen seafood and meat, as well as dairy products.