The Japanese "Ministry of Agriculture, Forests and Fisheries" has updated the statistics on the "Sake" (rice wine). Recently in Japan, the production of alcoholic beverages is decreasing (Sake, Shochu and beer in particular), while there is an increase for liquor, wine and whisky.

In 1973 Sake's production in Japan was over 1,700,000 kl but in recent years, due to competition with other alcoholic beverages, it has decreased to 500,000 kl. Indications from the market suggest that consumers tend to appreciate quality more and therefore increase the production of fine Sake.
The export of Sake is also increasing in recent years. In 2018 the export quantity was approximately 26,000 kl, twice as much as 10 years earlier.
Sake is ex-ported to 71 countries and about 80% is destined for the USA, Korea, Taiwan, China and Hong Kong.

Source: website of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries