Key Insights• According to the research report, "Japan EPA & DHA Market Outlook, 2031," published by Actual Market Research, the Japan EPA & DHA Market is anticipated to grow at more than 8.70% CAGR from 2026 to 2031. The Japanese EPA & DHA market is steadily expanding as the country faces the world's most advanced super-aging society, a substantial burden of heart disease, and a long-established scientific and commercial leadership in omega-3, from prescription EPA to functional foods. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Japan's population aged 65 and older reached approximately 36.19 million as of September 15, 2025, accounting for a record 29.4% of a total population of approximately 123 million. Provisional Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) data show that Japan recorded 1,589,489 deaths in 2025, with heart disease, excluding hypertensive heart disease, ranking as the second leading cause of death at 220,447 deaths, after cancer, and cerebrovascular disease ranking fourth at 100,355 deaths. Births fell to a record low of 671,236 in 2025, the tenth consecutive annual decline, with the total fertility rate falling to 1.14. Although traditional Japanese diets are rich in fish, seafood consumption has declined significantly among younger generations, creating a growing gap in dietary EPA and DHA. The growing clinical burden is placing additional pressure on Japan's universal health insurance system and consumer health sector to strengthen access to EPA and DHA through prescription medicines, supplements, functional foods, and clinical nutrition.• Japan's EPA & DHA market is characterized by a highly sophisticated ecosystem comprising integrated seafood and fine chemicals companies, pharmaceutical manufacturers, direct-to-consumer supplement brands, convenience stores and drugstores, and a large pet care industry.

Japan pioneered the medical use of EPA, with Nissui-supported research leading to the approval of highly purified EPA medicines in the early 1990s. Nissui supplies EPA and DHA as pharmaceutical raw materials from its certified plants in Ibaraki Prefecture, and in March 2025 received regulatory approval to export refined fish oil-derived pharmaceutical raw materials to Europe. Other leading participants include Maruha Nichiro, Mochida Pharmaceutical (Epadel), Takeda (Lotriga), Suntory Wellness, whose DHA and EPA supplements are among Japan's best-selling direct-sales products, and Bizen Chemical. Drugstore chains such as Matsumoto Kiyoshi, Welcia, and Tsuruha, alongside e-commerce platforms such as Rakuten and Amazon Japan, function as key retail channels.• Regulatory oversight for EPA and DHA products in Japan is administered by the MHLW and the Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA). Prescription EPA and omega-3-acid ethyl ester medicines are approved under the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Act, while EPA and DHA functional foods can be marketed as Foods for Specified Health Uses (FOSHU), which require CAA approval, or as Foods with Function Claims (FFC), which require pre-market notification to the CAA based on scientific evidence. Following Kobayashi Pharmaceutical's red yeast rice supplement scandal in 2024, the CAA introduced stricter FFC rules effective September 1, 2024, including mandatory reporting of health hazards and new scientific findings, annual self-inspection, and mandatory Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) for supplement-form FFC products from September 1, 2026.

The Dietary Reference Intakes for Japanese, 2025 edition, applied from April 2025, set adequate intakes for n-3 fatty acids by age and sex, informing national nutrition policy and product formulation.Market Outlook• A defining characteristic of Japan's EPA & DHA market is the integration of pharmaceutical-grade omega-3 science with a large functional food and supplement sector. Japan's FFC system has enabled a wide range of EPA and DHA products, including supplements, fish sausages, canned fish, beverages, and dairy, to communicate science-based benefits such as reducing blood neutral fat, supporting memory function, and maintaining cognitive health in older adults. Direct-to-consumer brands such as Suntory Wellness have built large subscriber bases for DHA and EPA supplements targeting healthy aging and cognitive function. Simultaneously, the market is adjusting to a stricter regulatory environment following the 2024 red yeast rice scandal, with manufacturers investing in GMP certification ahead of the September 2026 deadline and strengthening adverse event monitoring, which is expected to favor larger, quality-focused companies and improve consumer trust in the category.• The market also reflects Japan's growing emphasis on healthy life expectancy and prevention of lifestyle-related diseases. The national Health Japan 21 (Third Term) initiative promotes the prevention of cardiovascular disease, dementia, and frailty among older adults, providing a supportive policy backdrop for omega-3 positioned around cognitive and cardiovascular health. Japanese omega-3 manufacturers are also expanding internationally, with Nissui's March 2025 approval to export pharmaceutical raw materials to Europe complementing its earlier shipments of high-purity EPA active pharmaceutical ingredients to the U.S.

In infant nutrition, the record low of 671,236 births in 2025 is constraining domestic formula volumes, although DHA-fortified formulas from manufacturers such as Meiji, Morinaga, and Glico continue to hold premium positions.Market DynamicsDriver: Super-aging society and heart disease burden supported by world-leading omega-3 scienceJapan's EPA & DHA market is primarily driven by its super-aging population and the high burden of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease. People aged 65 and older represented a record 29.4% of the population in September 2025, and heart disease caused 220,447 deaths in 2025, making it the second leading cause of death, according to provisional MHLW data. Japan's long history of omega-3 research, including landmark clinical evidence for purified EPA in cardiovascular prevention, has made physicians and consumers highly familiar with the benefits of EPA and DHA. Prescription EPA and omega-3-acid ethyl esters are widely used for dyslipidemia, while FFC products allow consumers to choose omega-3 foods and supplements supported by scientific evidence for triglyceride reduction and cognitive function. As the population continues to age and concerns about dementia and frailty grow, drugstores, direct-sales channels, and medical institutions are witnessing sustained demand for EPA and DHA products.Challenge: Regulatory tightening after the red yeast rice scandal, declining fish consumption, and raw material volatilityOne of the principal challenges facing Japan's EPA & DHA market is the increased compliance burden and consumer caution following the 2024 red yeast rice scandal, which prompted the CAA to introduce mandatory health hazard reporting, annual self-inspections, and GMP requirements for supplement-form FFC products from September 2026. Smaller manufacturers face significant costs to achieve GMP compliance, which may lead to product rationalization.

Additionally, while the traditional Japanese diet is rich in fish, seafood consumption has declined markedly among younger generations, and the domestic market for DHA-fortified infant formula is shrinking as births fall to record lows. Raw material costs also remain volatile, with Peru's first 2026 north-central anchovy quota set approximately 36% lower than in 2025, affecting Japanese refiners that import sardine and anchovy oil from Peru. Together, these factors contribute to margin pressure, regulatory complexity, and a shift in demand toward older consumers.Trend: Expansion of cognitive health positioning, healthy aging products, and international pharmaceutical omega-3 exportsJapan is experiencing a significant shift toward omega-3 products positioned for cognitive function, healthy aging, and frailty prevention among older adults. FFC products featuring DHA and EPA claims related to memory and cognitive function are expanding across supplements and everyday foods such as fish sausages, canned mackerel, and beverages, leveraging Japan's strong convenience store and supermarket distribution. Simultaneously, Japanese omega-3 companies are strengthening their international presence, with Nissui expanding pharmaceutical raw material exports to Europe from 2025 and the U.S. The growing emphasis on quality assurance under the reformed FFC system is expected to enhance the credibility of omega-3 functional foods, while innovation in formats such as emulsified beverages, gummies, and smaller capsules is addressing the needs of elderly consumers with swallowing difficulties.

The pet nutrition sector is also expanding, with premium cat and dog foods incorporating fish oil gaining share.Policies• Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Act: Prescription EPA and omega-3-acid ethyl ester medicines are approved by the MHLW through the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) and reimbursed under the National Health Insurance drug price list, with generic versions and an over-the-counter EPA product also available.• Foods for Specified Health Uses (FOSHU): FOSHU products containing EPA and DHA require individual approval by the CAA based on clinical evidence and may carry specific health claims, such as supporting healthy blood neutral fat levels.• Foods with Function Claims (FFC) Reform: FFC products require pre-market notification to the CAA based on scientific evidence. Following the 2024 red yeast rice scandal, new rules effective September 1, 2024, require reporting of health hazards and new scientific findings and annual self-inspection, with GMP mandatory for supplement-form FFC products from September 1, 2026, and longer pre-launch notification periods for novel ingredients from April 2025.• Dietary Reference Intakes for Japanese, 2025 Edition: Applied from April 2025, the Dietary Reference Intakes set adequate intakes for n-3 fatty acids by age and sex, informing public health nutrition policy, school meals, and product formulation.• Infant Formula and Pet Food Regulation: Infant formula is regulated as a food for special dietary uses requiring CAA permission, with DHA widely included by domestic manufacturers. Pet food safety is regulated under the Pet Food Safety Act administered by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the Ministry of the Environment.Segment AnalysisJapan EPA & DHA Market By Product Type• Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) maintains an important position within Japan, particularly in cognitive health supplements, FFC foods with memory-related claims, and infant formula. Maruha Nichiro has a long history of DHA-enriched functional foods, including FOSHU-approved fish sausages.• Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) represents a significant and growing product type segment in Japan, driven by the established use of highly purified EPA medicines such as Epadel for dyslipidemia and cardiovascular prevention, as well as EPA-focused FFC products for triglyceride reduction. Nissui's high-purity EPA API exports further support the segment.Japan EPA & DHA Market By Source• Fish Oil represents the leading revenue-generating source category in Japan due to its use in pharmaceuticals, supplements, and functional foods, with refiners such as Nissui importing sardine and anchovy oil from Peru and refining it in certified domestic plants.• Algae Oil maintains a growing position within Japan, particularly in infant formula and vegetarian supplements, although adoption is slower than in Western markets given Japan's strong preference for marine-derived omega-3.• Krill Oil is a premium source category positioned for absorption and smaller capsule size, sold through drugstores, direct-sales channels, and e-commerce.• Other Marine Sources hold a niche position in the Japanese market, including tuna oil, bonito oil, and squid oil, which are traditional DHA-rich sources in Japan, primarily used in functional foods and specialty supplements.Japan EPA & DHA Market By Application• Dietary Supplements represent the largest application segment in Japan by volume, distributed through direct-sales channels, drugstores, and e-commerce, with FFC notification enabling science-based claims.• Pharmaceuticals represent a significant application segment by value, driven by prescription EPA and omega-3-acid ethyl esters reimbursed under National Health Insurance, as well as API production for export.• Infant Formula represents a strategically important but declining application segment, with DHA widely included by domestic manufacturers. Births fell to a record low of 671,236 in 2025.• Food & Beverages encompasses FFC and FOSHU products such as DHA-enriched fish sausages, canned fish, beverages, and dairy, reflecting Japan's leadership in functional foods.• Clinical Nutrition & Medical Foods includes enteral nutrition products and lipid emulsions used in hospitals and long-term care facilities, a growing segment given Japan's super-aging population.• Pet Nutrition represents the fastest-growing application segment in Japan, supported by 6.82 million dogs and 8.847 million cats in 2025, according to the Japan Pet Food Association, and the premiumization of pet foods and supplements incorporating fish oil.Major EPA & DHA Manufacturers Operating in Japan• Nissui, Maruha Nichiro, Mochida Pharmaceutical, Takeda, Suntory Wellness, Bizen Chemical, Meiji, Morinaga, Glico, Kao, dsm-firmenich, and Aker BioMarine are leading players in the Japanese EPA & DHA market, offering pharmaceutical-grade EPA and DHA, prescription omega-3 medicines, finished supplements, functional foods, and DHA-fortified infant formula.

Nissui received approval to export refined fish oil-derived pharmaceutical raw materials to Europe in March 2025. Their strong presence, scientific research capabilities, regulatory expertise, and established relationships with physicians, retailers, and consumers have driven adoption across the Japanese market.• The market is also supported by contract manufacturers, OEM supplement producers, ingredient distributors, and testing laboratories that provide formulation, encapsulation, and quality assurance support, with GMP certification becoming increasingly important ahead of the September 2026 deadline.Japan EPA & DHA Supply and Pricing Economics• EPA and DHA products in Japan represent value-added nutritional and pharmaceutical products whose pricing depends on purity, concentration, regulatory status, and channel. Pricing varies considerably between prescription medicines, FFC supplements, functional foods, and premium krill and algal products.• Raw material costs are influenced by imported fish oil prices and the yen exchange rate. Refined fish oil prices normalized by late 2024 after the El Niño-related disruption, but the reduced 2026 Peruvian quota is expected to place renewed upward pressure on raw material costs.• Prescription omega-3 medicines are reimbursed under National Health Insurance, with biennial drug price revisions placing downward pressure on prices. Supplements and functional foods are paid out-of-pocket.• GMP compliance for supplement-form FFC products from September 2026 is expected to increase manufacturing costs, particularly for smaller producers.Market Outlook by Consumer Health Spending and Supply Infrastructure• Japan's EPA & DHA market growth is strongly linked to population aging, healthy life expectancy policies, and the strength of the functional food and pharmaceutical sectors, although regulatory tightening, declining fish consumption, and falling births remain significant factors influencing development.• Private consumer spending drives the supplement and functional food segments, while National Health Insurance supports prescription EPA. Direct-sales and e-commerce channels continue to expand among older consumers.• The future growth opportunity for EPA and DHA in Japan depends on rebuilding consumer trust through the reformed FFC system, expanding cognitive health and frailty prevention products, growing pharmaceutical raw material exports, and capturing demand from the pet nutrition segment.

Greater integration of omega-3 within healthy aging programs and continued scientific innovation will likely support long-term market development.Global EPA & DHA MarketConsidered in this report• Historic Year: 2020• Base Year: 2025• Estimated Year: 2026• Forecast Year: 2031Aspects covered in this report• EPA & DHA Market with its value and forecast along with its segments• Various drivers and challenges• Ongoing trends and developments• Top profiled companies• Strategic recommendationsBy Product Type• Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA)• Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA)By Application• Dietary Supplements• Infant Formula• Pharmaceuticals• Food & Beverages• Clinical Nutrition & Medical Foods• Pet NutritionBy Source• Fish Oil• Algae Oil• Krill Oil• Other Marine Sources.