Why are over 40 different kinds of beer sold in Japan? Do you know the reason for this?

Those of you who have been to Japan and have visited a grocery or convenience store may have seen this, but in Japan over 40 different kinds of beer are sold.

People from abroad sometimes ask, “why does Japan have so many different kinds of beer?” It is because it symbolizes the heated battle between Japanese taxes and the Japanese beer manufacturing industry.

Beer Is Heavily Taxed

There are many different kinds of Japanese beer, but as for “authentic” beer that is made using only malt and hops, only a few varieties such as YEBISU Beer are available.
The other famous Japanese beers, Asahi Super Dry and KIRIN Lager Beer, are beers made by using grains such as rice or corn in addition to malt and hops.
The Japanese government subjected these beers to repeated increases in the liquor tax, such that the tax on 350ml is currently set at ¥77.
Therefore, the beer manufacturing industry poured their efforts into product development in order to offer more affordable beers to consumers.

Beer Manufacturing Industry Develops Low-Malt Beer Subject to Lower Taxation

The efforts of the beer manufacturing industry led to the development of low-malt beer.
By holding the malt percentage to below 65%, it was subject to a lower liquor tax, and it became a huge hit due to its low purchase price.
However, in 1996 the Japanese government set the tax on low-malt beer with a malt percentage over 50% to the same rate as beer.
Of course, there was an outcry from the beer manufacturing industry, but their concerns were not heeded.
Thus, the industry went through further efforts to develop a low-malt beer with a malt percentage below 25% that still had a good taste. This became a huge hit as well.
However, in 2003 the tax on low-malt beers was raised again, leading the beer manufacturing industry to develop yet another kind of beer.

Thus the Beer-like Alcoholic Beverage Was Born

Beer manufacturers developed further innovations and succeeded in creating new products by creating a similar taste to beer without using malt, or by mixing low-malt beer with a different alcoholic drink.
These beers were called beer-like alcoholic beverages, and because they were taxed at a lower rate than low-malt beers, they made possible the sale of products with a taste similar to beer at a low price.
However, in 2006 the Japanese government increased the tax on these beer-like alcoholic beverages as well.
(However, the tax on beer itself was reduced.)

Alcohol-free Beer Introduced

Japan strictly prohibits driving automobiles or motorcycles while under the influence of alcohol, and if caught by the police, revocation of one’s driving license and a fine of up to ¥1,000,000 could result.
For this reason, alcohol-free beers are sold in Japan.
They taste similar to beer, but are alcohol-free.
If you are interested, give it a try sometime.

As we have seen, the variety of Japanese beers has increased due to the efforts of the Japanese beer manufacturing industry.
Because of this, Japanese people are able to choose freely from beer, low-malt beer, beer-like alcoholic beverages, and alcohol-free beers based on their incomes and needs.

If you come to Japan, try a beer armed with the knowledge of Japan’s beer history.