Competitive Landscape
Lotte Energises Demand with New Brand and Strategic Campaigns
Ice cream in Japan remains moderately concentrated, with the leading manufacturer, Lotte Co Ltd, holding a 16% share by retail value in 2026. Morinaga Milk Industry Co Ltd and Akagi Nyugyo Co Ltd follow in second and third place respectively with a 11% share each, while Ezaki Glico Co Ltd in fourth position maintains a share of 9%.
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Overview:
Understand the latest market trends and future growth opportunities for the Ice Cream industry in Japan with research from Euromonitor International's team of in-country analysts – experts by industry and geographic specialisation.
Key trends are clearly and succinctly summarised alongside the most current research data available. Understand and assess competitive threats and plan corporate strategy with our qualitative analysis, insight and confident growth projections.
Data and analysis in this report provides further detailed coverage dedicated to a comprehensive range of core packaged food categories.
If you're in the Ice Cream industry in Japan, our research will help you to make informed, intelligent decisions; to recognise and profit from opportunity, or to offer resilience amidst market uncertainty.
The Ice Cream in Japan report includes:
- Analysis of key supply-side and demand trends
- Detailed segmentation of international and local products
- Historic volume and value sizes, company and brand market shares
- Five year forecasts of market trends and market growth
- Robust and transparent research methodology, conducted in-country
This report answers:
- What is the market size of Ice Cream in Japan?
- Which are the leading brands in Ice Cream in Japan?
- How are products distributed in Ice Cream in Japan?
- How is the rise of e-commerce and/or the expansion of modern grocery retail impacting traditional retail?
- What are the key health and wellness concerns driving, or challenging, sales in Ice Cream?
- How significant are vegan and vegetarian dietary requirements in determining sales growth in Japan?
- How has COVID-19 impacted consumer demand? To what extent have lockdown, home seclusion and stockpiling boosted sales? Will the longer term economic repercussions of the pandemic stimulate or suppress future growth?
- Where is future growth expected to be most dynamic?
- How significant will values-based claims, such as sustainability and ethical labelling, be in supporting future growth and brand equity?
Ice Cream in Japan - Category analysis
Key Data Insights
Ice Cream Summary
Gari Gari Kun Leverages Value Perception to Outpace Rivals in Challenging Conditions
Impulse Ice Cream Sustains Lead as Take-Home Formats Gain Momentum
Morinaga Milk Reinvents Indoor Indulgence as At-Home Consumption Reshapes Demand
Akagi Nyugyo and Morinaga Drive Premiumisation as Volume Declines
Morinaga and Akagi Nyugyo Balance Indulgence with Functionality to Unlock New Demand
Lotte Energises Demand with New Brand and Strategic Campaigns
Supermarkets Maintain Price Edge as Convenience Stores Gain Ground
E-Commerce Expands, but Physical Retail Retains Shopper Loyalty
Akagi Nyugyo and Morinaga Build Trust and Value through Product Innovation
Morinaga Milk Translates Dessert Trends into Premium, Indoor-Focused Experiences
Lotte Energises Demand through Collaboration and Portfolio Expansion
Snacks in Japan - Industry Overview
2026 Developments
Key Data Insights
Familymart Drives Demand for Visible Value through Volume-Led Promotions
Meiji Leverages Co-Creation to Blend Nostalgia with Novelty
Familymart Challenges Shrinkflation with Anniversary Offer
Meiji and Familymart Blend Trust with Value-Focused Innovation
Lotte and Calbee Sustain Lead with Brand Trust and Value
Supermarkets Capture Price-Driven Shoppers
E-Commerce Expansion Lags as Shoppers Favour In-Store Purchasing
Familymart Responds to Price Pressures with Quantity-Led Value
Meiji Transforms Trusted Brands with Consumer-Led Co-Creation
Lotte and Calbee Sustain Leadership through Adaptive Portfolios
Country Reports Disclaimer
The following categories and subcategories are included:
Ice Cream
- Frozen Yoghurt
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- Single Portion Dairy Ice Cream
- Single Portion Water Ice Cream
- Plant-based Ice Cream
- Unpackaged Ice Cream
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- Bulk Dairy Ice Cream
- Ice Cream Desserts
- Multi-Pack Dairy Ice Cream
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- Bulk Water Ice Cream
- Multi-Pack Water Ice Cream
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Ice Cream
Ice cream is the aggregation of frozen yoghurt, impulse ice cream, plant-based ice cream, unpackaged ice cream and take-home ice cream. Frozen desserts is included in Passport’s Staple Foods research. Please note that soft serve ice cream from ice cream dispensing machines sold at foodservice outlets (e.g. fast food or ice cream parlours) is entirely excluded.
See all of our definitionsWhy buy this report?
- Gain competitive intelligence about market leaders
- Track key industry trends, opportunities and threats
- Inform your marketing, brand, strategy and market development, sales and supply functions
This report originates from Passport, our Ice Cream research and analysis database.
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