The number has increased by about 20 percent since the last survey in 2021 and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries attributed this to the growth of interest among anime fans, especially in Central and South America, the Kiodo agency reported. .
By region, Asia and Europe saw growth of 20 percent to 122,000 and 16,400 respectively, raising expectations for growth in Japan’s agricultural and fisheries exports as its food culture continues to spread.
China is the country with the highest number of Japanese restaurants with 78,760, followed by the United States, which reached 26,040, and South Korea with 18,210.
While the number of Japanese restaurants in North America decreased by almost 10 percent, to 28,600, in 2023 due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, those in Central and South America almost doubled from the 2021 level, which reached 12,900.
Major players in Japan’s food service industry have taken opportunities to expand overseas, and the Royal Holdings company now operates a total of more than 30 Tendon Tenya outlets in four countries. in Asia, as well as in Hong Kong, after opening their first store in Thailand in 2013.
Restaurants located in the dining rooms of department stores are booming, and many people are also taking the opportunity to learn about the operations of Japanese-style stores by accepting jobs as such. restaurants, according to a company official.
The demand for Japanese cuisine in the region has been boosted by the popularity of anime such as One Piece and Kimetsu no Yaiba, while the change in the survey method has also helped discover more establishments, according to the ministry.
