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Japan restaurant sales climbs 13.3% in 2022
Overall sales however were still down by 5.8% compared to 2019.
Restaurant sales in Japan inched up by 13.3% in 2022, the first increase in three years according to the Japan Food Service Association.
However, these numbers were still 5.8% lower compared to 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic.
The hike in sales was attributed to increasing in the number of customers after COVID-19 restrictions were eased and menu price hikes.
Sales at pubs and ‘izakaya’ Japanese-style bars reportedly surged about 80% from 2021 but are still 50% below 2019 levels. Meanwhile, fast food restaurant sales increased by 7.9% compared to 2021, the second consecutive year of increase.