Given my time spent in Japan, I have significant doubts as to the methodology of a study placing them this low. And if their diligence regarding a culture which has always been fairly unapologetic about their consumption is this far off then I suspect that the rest of the study is steaming male bovine excrement as well.
I have trouble with this Japan numbers too. We booze it up a LOT out here. I personally can go through 1 to 2 liters a day over several hours after work when I’m walking through the city and enjoying the weather and scenery. The grapefruit chu-hi is hard to beat for an evening relaxer.
You may be behind the times, MrEdd. I have lived in Tokyo for 28 years and I can tell you that there has been a significant change in alcohol consumption habits over the last two decades.
Drinks after work is no longer a social obligation of Japanese men, and they are strongly encouraged to spend more time at home. Companies no longer, or seldom, pay for booze at parties — and when they do, it’s not an all-night nomihodai sort of deal.
The economy is getting tighter, the recent increase in the consumption tax has bitten into the discretionary spending Japanese men used to have.
All in all, this placement on the list matches what I see.
What is your reference point, though?
Remember, they are "moderate", not in absolute terms, but in comparison to Belarus and the rest of the ex-Soviet nations.
Japan is a country where you can buy beer and hard liquor out of vending machines on the street.
Nobody can convince me that they are “moderate” drinkers.
I’m not suprised there is a significant portion of the population that has a gene which prevents them from having more than one or two drinks - very common in asian populations. In addition, while the guys tend to drink heavy (those who can), a much lower percentage of the ladies do so.
My wife (from Japan) is a teetotaler, my BIL can’t drink more than 2, my 2 SILs and other BIL are imbibers.
So I would guess it would put them in middle pack.