Number of Japanese Restaurants Overseas Falls for First Time

The number of Japanese restaurants operating overseas declined for the first time in 2025, pressured by a sharp drop in China amid its economic downturn, a government survey showed, Kyodo News reported.

The decline was driven largely by China, home to the largest number of Japanese restaurants overseas.

The biennial survey by Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries showed there were approximately 181,000 Japanese restaurants abroad in 2025, down from a record 187,000 in 2023.

The decline was driven largely by China, home to the largest number of Japanese restaurants overseas.

The total there fell by about 15,260 from two years earlier to 63,500 establishments—a drop of nearly 20%, according to the results released in late November. China’s economy has been hit by weak domestic demand, a property sector crisis, and high levels of local government debt.