What happened
On 1 October 2026, Japan completed a staged reform of liquor tax on beer-type drinks. The Ministry of Finance says the rate is now ¥155,000 per kilolitre, equivalent to ¥54.25 for 350 mL, across this group. This is a tax amount, not the retail price of a can.
For 350 mL during the previous stage, from October 2023 through September 2026, the National Tax Agency’s guide lists ¥63.35 for beer, ¥54.25 for happoshu in the 25–50% malt band, and ¥46.99 for happoshu with less than 25% malt and the products commonly called “new genre”. Under the final stage the beer figure falls, the lowest band rises, and the middle figure remains ¥54.25.
A separate category covering sparkling alcoholic drinks that do not use hops, including some chuhai, moved from ¥80,000 to ¥100,000 per kilolitre, or from ¥28 to ¥35 per 350 mL. Classification depends on the actual drink. The tax is paid by producers; a change in tax does not by itself tell you what a shop will charge.
Why it matters
- The final stage of a reform agreed years earlier took effect on 1 October 2026, so older price comparisons can be misleading.
- The direction of the tax change differs between beer, lower-malt drinks and some other sparkling alcoholic drinks.
- A can’s Japanese category label helps identify which rules may apply, but its shelf price also reflects decisions beyond the tax rate.
An editorial note
If you compare familiar drinks, read the category on the can and the current shelf label. A ¥9.10 reduction in beer tax per 350 mL, or a ¥7.26 increase in the lowest earlier band, is not a promise that the retail price changed by that amount. This article explains Japanese liquor-tax categories, not the taxes in another country. In Japan, drinking is for adults aged 20 or over.
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Sources and dates
Original article: 2026-09-28. English edition prepared: 2026-10-03. Key official sources rechecked on that date. Details can change; consult the linked official pages.