Today, alcohol is an important and accepted part of Japanese daily life, from social and business drinking to religious rites and traditional customs where sake plays a central role.
But critics worried about unintended consequences. Hidetomi Tanaka, an economist, called the effort an “irresponsible and unorthodox drinking campaign.” About one million Japanese suffer from alcoholism, while about 9.8 million others are potentially addicted, according to research by the Japanese Health Ministry.
The truth is, the drinking culture in Japan is complex—a cocktail of excitement, anxiety, and harassment that can be hard to understand even with experience. For some, drinking is simply a fun and stress-free way to unwind and connect with peers; for others, it's a crippling addiction.
The latest survey by Japan's Ministry of Health and Welfare (MHW) found that an estimated 67 percent of the 126,686,000 population drink, and almost 2.5 million, or about 2 percent, are alcoholics or heavy drinkers.
Drinking is an important part of Japanese work and social culture because it helps break down the firm appearances that come as a product of this culture. Japanese people see drinking as a way to share a sense of togetherness and honesty.
Looking at the amount of alcohol consumed per person aged 15 years or older, the Seychelles is in first place with around 20.5 litres of alcohol drunk per person per year, according to Our World in Data; studies show that young male peer groups primarily drink high amounts of alcohol in the Seychelles.
Belarus, a country that drinks the most liters of pure alcohol than any other country in the world, was also classified as having one the riskiest pattern of drinking.
Sake. Sake is the most popular Japanese drink whose first written mention dates back to 3rd century. In its basic form, the drink is made by brewing yeast, koji mold, water and polished rice.
More than one in three people with East Asian heritage (Chinese, Japanese and Korean) experience facial flushing when drinking beer, wine or spirits. In Asian populations, it is due to an inherited deficiency in one of the enzymes involved in the breakdown of alcohol: aldehyde dehydrogenase.
In Japan, the legal adult age is 20. Japanese law prohibits individuals under the age of 20 to drink alcohol or smoke. Regardless of age, you must not force anyone to drink or smoke as it may cause serious health and social consequences.
5. Japanese people don't drink much water with meals
In Eastern health philosophies, it's believed that water can “douse” your “digestive fire.” That's code for that water can make it difficult for your body to digest foods.
Aside from crime prevention issues, Japanese laws on drinking in public are generally relaxed. This means that it is legal to drink in public in Japan. You're able to consume alcohol in parks, at the station or – while frowned upon in most social circumstances – even inside a train.
1. Japanese Tea
There are many countries that produce tea, and teas from different origins have their own characteristics. Depending on what you are looking for, drinking Japanese tea can be one of the best ways to enjoy the second most-consumed drink in the world.
The consumption of alcohol is widespread within Australia and entwined with many social and cultural activities. However, harmful levels of consumption are a major health issue, associated with increased risk of chronic disease, injury and premature death.
Alcoholism has been a problem throughout the country's history because drinking is a pervasive, socially acceptable behaviour in Russian society and alcohol has also been a major source of government revenue for centuries. It has repeatedly been targeted as a major national problem, with mixed results.
An aging population, a declining birthrate, and post-pandemic lifestyle changes have all contributed to the shrinking of Japan's domestic alcohol market—and the tax revenue it generates. Japan has a “super aged” population, according to the EU, with more than one in five people living in the country over the age of 65.
Tea and sake may be the most well-known Japanese beverages, but coffee is also a big part of daily life in Japan. Japan's coffee culture dates back to the 1600s, when coffee first arrived via Dutch and Portuguese trade ships.
“Typical Japanese diets are characterized by plant-based food, such as rice, vegetables and soybeans, and seafoods,” says Shoichiro Tsugane, director of the National Institute of Health and Nutrition. “Non-sugary beverages such as green tea are mainly consumed during and between meals.
In Japan, an enthusiastic “kanpai!,” which translates to empty cup, isn't just a celebratory way to cheer, it's a respected pre-drinking ritual. So New Year's Eve or not, don't even think about chugging a beer (or sake) in Japan before everyone at your table has said: “Kan-pie!”
Russia and Australia have the highest prevalence of alcoholism dependence overall, with 2.61 per cent and 2.58 per cent, respectively. According to the World Health Organization, US has the lowest rate of alcohol dependence with only 1.93 per cent.
Korean Americans have the highest rate of heavy drinking (3.5%) and Chinese Americans have the lowest (1.2%).
People in South Korea are the most prolific drinkers in Asia, according to the WHO. South Koreans over the age of 15 on average drink 10.9 litres of alcohol a year.
The top 10 countries that consume the least alcohol across the WHO European Region are Tajikistan (0.9 litres), Azerbaijan (1.0), Turkey (1.8), Uzbekistan (2.6), Turkmenistan (3.1), Israel (4.4), Armenia (4.7), Kazakhstan (5.0), Albania (6.8), and North Macedonia (6.4).