Alcoholism in Japan and where to find help

In Japan, it’s estimated that around one million people have a drinking problem, yet only 10% seek treatment, and a mere 3% fully recover. This low recovery rate is partly due to Japan’s cultural tolerance of drinking, where alcohol plays a significant role in social, professional, and even religious life. The perception that alcohol is not a drug, combined with minimal legal restrictions, further complicates the recognition and treatment of alcoholism.

Foreigners in Japan, who may feel isolated or struggle with the pressures of adapting to a new culture, can also turn to alcohol as a coping mechanism, leading to dependence over time. The social and professional expectations to participate in drinking rituals only add to this risk.

While stigma still exists, more people in Japan recognize alcoholism as an illness, and non-alcoholic alternatives are becoming more common. For those who feel their drinking is out of control or damaging their lives, this article outlines how and where to find support, covering Japan’s drinking culture, treatment options and resources to help those struggling with alcohol dependence.

Drinking Culture in Japan

Alcohol has a storied place in Japanese culture. Sake (Japanese rice wine) has played an important role in the native Shinto religion for centuries, used as an offering to the gods or consumed for purification. Early Chinese visitors to Japan in the third century reported that the Japanese people were ‘much given to strong drink.’ 

In modern times, little has changed. Drinking is not only a social activity but an extension of professional duties, with many Japanese companies hosting frequent enkai (work drinking parties) intended to strengthen bonds between coworkers and business partners. Failing to participate in these raucous events can jeopardize an employee’s standing in the workplace, meaning the pressure to drink is extremely high. It isn’t uncommon to see a smartly dressed salaryman passed out on the pavement after overdoing it in the name of a job well done.

The value of enkai and its social equivalent, nomikai, is summed up by the Japanese word nominication, a portmanteau of the Japanese verb nomu (to drink) and the English word communication. In Japan’s famously reserved culture, the loss of inhibition brought about by a few beers or highballs can facilitate everything from new friendships to commercial transactions. 

It can also be a way to self-medicate. Charles Pomeroy, onetime president of the Foreign Correspondents Club of Japan, famously stated, “Alcohol here plays the role of psychiatry in the West. I think the country would explode without it.” Counseling and therapy are uncommon in Japan. Alcohol, on the other hand, is readily available around the clock from 24-hour convenience stores and even vending machines.

Foreigners and Alcoholism

Foreigners may be well aware of the risks associated with heavy drinking, but permissive attitudes and social pressures in Japan can easily lead to dependence. While tourists can enjoy nomihodai (all-you-can-drink events) and cheap convenience store chuhai (shochu highballs) without worry, foreign residents risk becoming habituated to this constant flow of affordable booze. 

Foreign employees at Japanese companies are not exempt from the drinking rituals of enkai, and many find that alcohol is the easiest way to unwind after a hard day on the job in Japan’s high-pressure working culture. 

Others develop a regular drinking habit during homestays, unable to refuse the nightly drinks offered by generous host families. In these situations, a desire to embrace the local culture and avoid offense can lead to continued drinking and, over time, addiction.

How Does Japan Treat Alcoholism?

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