{"id":17291,"date":"2025-12-01T23:52:31","date_gmt":"2025-12-01T14:52:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.assentia-hd.com\/en\/?p=17291"},"modified":"2025-12-01T23:52:31","modified_gmt":"2025-12-01T14:52:31","slug":"20251201","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.assentia-hd.com\/en\/2025\/12\/01\/20251201\/","title":{"rendered":"Number of Japanese Restaurants Overseas181,000"},"content":{"rendered":"

Number of Japanese Restaurants Overseas Declines for First Time Since Survey Began: 181,000 Restaurants, Down 6,000<\/h1>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The \u201cApproximate Number of Japanese Restaurants Overseas\u201d survey, compiled biennially since 2013 by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries with cooperation from overseas diplomatic missions worldwide, was announced on the evening of November 28th, one month later than originally scheduled.<\/p>\n

The delay in announcement was likely due to the fact that this was the first decrease. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, the number had maintained a 1.9% increase, but now, in normal times, there has been a decrease of 6,000 restaurants.<\/p>\n

Where exactly did this decrease of 6,000 restaurants, representing a 3.2% drop, occur?<\/h2>\n

For the first time this year, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) released the number of Japanese restaurants by country worldwide, along with their increases or decreases. Looking at this country-by-country data reveals the cause of the \u25b26,000 decrease.<\/p>\n

The largest decrease was, unsurprisingly, in China. It saw a \u25b215,260 decrease to 63,500 restaurants, a 19.4% drop.<\/p>\n

France also saw a staggering decline. \u25b21,290<\/b> restaurants, down to 3,390, a 27.6% decrease.<\/p>\n

Other countries experiencing declines:<\/p>\n

Russia: \u25b2670 restaurants, 21.1% decrease<\/p>\n

Taiwan: \u25b2340 restaurants, 4.6% decrease<\/p>\n

Italy: \u25b2300 restaurants, 12.2% decrease<\/p>\n

Sweden: -220 stores (-41.6%)<\/p>\n

Colombia: -100 stores (-19.3%)<\/p>\n

Singapore: -70 stores (-5.8%)<\/p>\n

Armenia: -50 stores (-50%)<\/p>\n

Incidentally, this figure of 181,000 stores is by no means a count of Japanese restaurants with Japanese involvement in management.<\/p>\n

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, a \u201cJapanese restaurant\u201d is counted if it meets any of the following criteria: \u2460 Listed as a \u201cJapanese restaurant\u201d on local websites, phone books, or guidebooks; \u2461 Participates in local organizations like the \u201cJapanese Restaurant Association\u201d; \u2462 Is treated as a \u201cJapanese restaurant\u201d by local Japanese associations or Japanese Chambers of Commerce and Industry; \u2463 Is recognized as a \u201cJapanese restaurant\u201d by overseas diplomatic missions beyond the above.<\/p>\n

Therefore, \u201cJapanese cuisine\u201d restaurants operated by local residents or Asian foreigners are naturally included in the count. In fact, some theories suggest that over 90% of such restaurants have no Japanese involvement whatsoever. Actually, it’s not just a theory; it’s probably accurate.<\/p>\n

There was a time when it was said that displaying \u201cJapanese cuisine\u201d on the signboard was key to success when operating a restaurant overseas. Many cases existed globally where Asian operators, particularly Chinese and Korean individuals, used \u201cJapanese cuisine\u201d signage.<\/p>\n

This phenomenon itself is perfectly natural in the restaurant business: offering cuisine that pleases customers is fundamental. If customers come because the sign says \u201cJapanese food,\u201d that’s only logical.<\/p>\n

In Japan itself, there are countless Chinese restaurants run by Japanese people. Similarly, during the Italian cuisine boom years ago, many restaurants offering Italian food proliferated, yet only a minority had undergone formal training in Italy or held recognition from the Italian government.<\/p>\n

The issue, I believe, isn’t whether Japanese people are involved or not, but having a correct understanding of why the absolute number has decreased.<\/p>\n

The Tide Turned: The Inbound Boom<\/h2>\n

While Japanese food was popular, many Japanese restaurants overseas served what was essentially \u201cfake Japanese food,\u201d largely unrelated to Japan or Japanese people. They were hugely successful for a time. However, the Japanese government’s inbound tourism policy dealt a major blow to this \u201cfake\u201d food.<\/p>\n

Previously, people enjoyed ramen and tempura in their home countries, believing them to be delicious. But when they actually traveled to Japan and tasted the authentic versions, they realized what they thought was ramen or tempura was quite different. They discovered that real Japanese food is incredibly delicious. This made it increasingly difficult for imitation restaurants to continue operating under the Japanese food banner.<\/p>\n

This impact is likely particularly strong in countries sending large numbers of inbound tourists.<\/p>\n

Incidentally, \u201ceating Japanese food\u201d has been the number one reason cited by inbound tourists for visiting Japan for over a decade.<\/p>\n

While this is wonderful, the more people eat authentic Japanese food in Japan, the more the position of \u201cimitation Japanese food\u201d is being squeezed.<\/p>\n

(Reference: Inbound Consumption Exceeds 5 Trillion Yen: Analysis of Visitor Spending Trends<\/u><\/a> https:\/\/www.assentia-hd.com\/news_and_pressrelease\/20240117\/<\/u><\/a>)<\/p>\n

The Arrival of Authentic Japanese Food Deals a Major Blow<\/h2>\n

Furthermore, the expansion of Japanese food and beverage companies overseas is also having an impact.<\/p>\n

Toridoll Holdings, owner of Marugame Seimen, is a prime example. As you know, Marugame Seimen’s arrival led to its recognition worldwide as a place where tempura could be easily enjoyed.<\/p>\n

Post-COVID, the overseas expansion of Japanese food and beverage companies has accelerated.<\/p>\n

Sushiro now generates more profit from its overseas stores than from its total domestic stores.<\/p>\n

When authentic Japanese food\u2014offering consistent quality and reasonable prices\u2014arrives, imitation Japanese food can no longer survive.<\/p>\n

Now is the era of opportunity for authentic Japanese cuisine.<\/h2>\n

\u201cImitation Japanese food\u201d expanded awareness of Japanese cuisine. And now, a shift is occurring from imitation to the real thing.<\/p>\n

It could be said that opportunities to provide authentic Japanese cuisine are arriving worldwide.<\/p>\n

What we must consider is how to expand Japanese cuisine into foreign countries. It’s a matter of the management structure for overseas expansion.<\/p>\n

A useful reference point is the various food businesses that entered Japan from the US starting in the 1970s.<\/p>\n

McDonald’s, KFC, Dunkin’ Donuts (now defunct), Mister Donut, Domino’s Pizza, and later Starbucks Coffee… all entered the Japanese market through franchising. Japanese franchisees who understood and loved these brands significantly grew each business.<\/p>\n

This was never about imposing American success factors. Instead, Japanese franchisees, deeply familiar with each brand’s strengths, implemented the best strategies to conquer the Japanese market, leading to today’s success.<\/p>\n

As the saying goes, \u201cWhen in Rome, do as the Romans do.\u201d Entrusting each country’s operations to capable local franchisees is the common sense approach to expanding food businesses overseas.<\/p>\n

(Reference: Overseas Expansion: Franchising is the Global Norm<\/u><\/a> https:\/\/www.assentia-hd.com\/news_and_pressrelease\/20200507\/<\/u><\/a>)<\/p>\n

The definition of authenticity. No one questions that McDonald’s, KFC, or Starbucks are American.<\/p>\n

This means that even as franchises, Japanese food is recognized as authentic Japanese cuisine.<\/p>\n

While Japan faces population decline and labor shortages, looking globally reveals challenges like population explosions and, in some countries, a lack of job opportunities for young people.<\/p>\n

This makes it the perfect timing to challenge overseas markets using the franchise strategy.<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n

While the number of Japanese restaurants overseas appears to have plateaued statistically, certain countries and regions are actually entering a transition phase from \u201cimitation\u201d to \u201cauthentic.\u201d<\/p>\n

This can be seen as a \u201cplateau\u201d phase poised for further growth.<\/p>\n

By shifting the strategic focus from direct operations or exporting ingredients from Japan to exporting the intellectual property of Japanese cuisine through franchising, I believe more companies can seize this opportunity.<\/p>\n

\"\" \"\" \"\" \"\" \"\" \"Jack \"taiyaki\" \"Jersey<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Number of Japanese Restaurants Overseas Declines for First Time Since Survey Began: 181,000 Restaurants, Down 6,000 The \u201cApproximate Number of Japanese Restaurants Overseas\u201d survey, compiled biennially since 2013 by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries with cooperation from overseas diplomatic missions worldwide, was announced on the evening of November 28th, one month later than originally scheduled. The delay in announcement was likely due to the fact that this was the first decrease. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, the number had maintained a 1.9% increase, but now, in normal times, there has been a decrease of 6,000 restaurants. Where exactly did this decrease of 6,000 restaurants, representing a … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":17293,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false}}},"categories":[9,1],"tags":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.assentia-hd.com\/en\/files\/2025\/12\/302074347f35ee9d0dc8dbee474055c2.png?fit=960%2C720&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/s8Yf3D-20251201","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":15434,"url":"https:\/\/www.assentia-hd.com\/en\/2023\/07\/19\/20230719\/","url_meta":{"origin":17291,"position":0},"title":"ANNUAL REPORT 2021-2022","author":"nobu","date":"2023\u5e747\u670819\u65e5","format":false,"excerpt":"We are not in the business of expanding Japanese franchises to the world. 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(headquartered in Kobe; Akira Tsuchiya, President) supports service companies aiming to expand overseas, and in the wake of the corona disaster, the company has begun to support sales expansion at existing clients. The company is not just providing corona countermeasures, but will continue to do so and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Food & Beverage"","block_context":{"text":"Food & Beverage","link":"https:\/\/www.assentia-hd.com\/en\/category\/fb\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.assentia-hd.com\/en\/files\/2020\/05\/7a4e73006b470708fde11518e6f3809a-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":8752,"url":"https:\/\/www.assentia-hd.com\/en\/2022\/02\/10\/20220210\/","url_meta":{"origin":17291,"position":2},"title":"COVID changes Japanese restaurants!","author":"nobu","date":"2022\u5e742\u670810\u65e5","format":false,"excerpt":"The greatest opportunity has arrived. The impact of COVID19 has left a huge scar on the restaurant business. The Japanese government has announced that the number of Japanese restaurants worldwide in 2021 will be 159,000, up 2% from the previous survey two years ago. This is a significant slowdown compared\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Food & Beverage"","block_context":{"text":"Food & Beverage","link":"https:\/\/www.assentia-hd.com\/en\/category\/fb\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.assentia-hd.com\/en\/files\/2022\/02\/5005aab36e0677e80e72f8ae6bd89ab8.jpg?fit=960%2C720&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":17159,"url":"https:\/\/www.assentia-hd.com\/en\/2024\/10\/07\/first-bariuma-euro\/","url_meta":{"origin":17291,"position":3},"title":"The first Bariuma Ramen restaurant in Europe has finally opened in Edinburgh.","author":"nobu","date":"2024\u5e7410\u67087\u65e5","format":false,"excerpt":"This year has seen the opening of the second ramen restaurant in Europe. 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