Japanese kitchen knives are celebrated for their razor-sharp edges, elegant design, and exceptional craftsmanship. Among them, knives made in Sakai City, Osaka—with over 600 years of knife-making tradition—stand out as a global symbol of precision and quality.

While recognition abroad continues to grow, the domestic market in Japan is steadily shrinking. At KIREAJI, we see this shift not as a challenge, but as an opportunity. Our mission is to bring real Japanese craftsmanship directly to kitchens around the world, without compromise.

Once driven by robust domestic demand, Japan’s knife industry is now facing headwinds. An aging population, a decline in home cooking, and fewer restaurants have led to a contraction in the domestic market.

For example:

• The number of registered kitchen knife manufacturers and wholesalers dropped from 2,017 in 2007 to about 1,500 in 2013.
• Production volume has also declined over the years, reflecting the reduced need for knives in Japanese households.

Outside Japan, however, the opposite trend is unfolding. Interest in Japanese knives is rising rapidly—and with good reason.

The total export value of Japanese knives increased from approximately 7.6 billion yen in 2015 to 11.8 billion yen in 2021, a growth of roughly 55% in six years. According to data from Nagoya Customs, 7.48 million knives were exported in 2021—both a record in volume and value.

These numbers do more than show sales—they reveal that chefs and home cooks around the world recognize the true value embedded in Japanese knives.

From 2000 to 2021, Japanese kitchen knife exports experienced remarkable and sustained growth. The export value rose from approximately 2.5 billion yen in 2000 to 11.8 billion yen in 2021, marking an astonishing increase of over 370% in just two decades. This consistent rise clearly reflects the global recognition of Japanese craftsmanship and the exceptional quality of Japanese knives.

・2000–2008: A Period of Steady Expansion

During this phase, exports steadily increased in line with global economic growth. From 2000 to 2008, the export value more than doubled, growing from about 2.5 billion yen to over 6 billion yen, reaching a pre-global-financial-crisis peak. This illustrates a healthy and stable market expansion supported by strong global demand.

・2009: The Global Financial Crisis and Swift Recovery

In 2009, the export value dropped sharply by approximately 30%, down to 4.2 billion yen, clearly impacted by the global economic downturn. However, by 2010, exports had already bounced back to over 5.2 billion yen, and continued to recover in the following years. This quick rebound highlights the inherent resilience of the Japanese knife market.

If Japanese knives were merely luxury or highly discretionary items, a prolonged slump might have been expected. But the swift return to growth suggests that consumers continued to prioritize quality kitchen tools, even in difficult economic times—pointing to strong perceived value and niche demand that remains steady even during adversity.

Following the recovery, the industry entered a more dynamic phase from around 2015. Export values climbed steadily, surpassing 7 billion yen in 2015, 8 billion yen in 2017, and 9 billion yen between 2018 and 2020. This acceleration predates the pandemic and indicates that key market drivers had already been strengthened.

These drivers may include the global culinary boom, the rising popularity of Japanese cuisine, and enhanced international distribution of Japanese-made products. Around 2015, the data clearly shows a sharp upward inflection, marking not just recovery but the beginning of a new, more vigorous growth phase.

The most striking data point is the unprecedented surge in 2021, when exports reached a record-breaking 11.84 billion yen, a 28.6% increase over the previous year. According to Nagoya Customs, this was the highest figure recorded since 1988.

The sheer scale of this surge—an increase of nearly 2.6 billion yen in a single year—suggests the presence of strong and specific catalysts beyond organic growth. The COVID-19 pandemic, which shifted consumer behavior toward home cooking, likely played a central role in this dramatic rise.

This statistically significant spike indicates that a substantial latent demand was unleashed under unique global conditions. Far from being a fluke, this surge underscores how Japanese knives had already established themselves as essential tools for quality-conscious cooks worldwide.

Beneath the statistics lies a deeper story. Japanese knives are no longer just admired for their beauty—they are trusted tools of the trade, chosen by professional chefs and passionate home cooks alike.

Rather than being driven by trends, the demand is fueled by timeless qualities: craftsmanship, performance, and reliability. The world has come to understand that Japanese knives are not just kitchenware—they are an enduring expression of functional artistry.

One key driver of this global interest was the 2013 UNESCO registration of “Washoku” (traditional Japanese cuisine) as Intangible Cultural Heritage. This raised global awareness of Japanese food culture—and naturally, interest in the tools behind it.

Tourism has also played a critical role. In places like Osaka’s Doguyasuji shopping street, some specialty stores report selling 20–30 high-end knives per day, with the majority purchased by foreign visitors.

For many international customers, Japanese knives are not just kitchen tools—they are collectible items or meaningful souvenirs. In Thailand, for instance, the rise of upscale Japanese restaurants has driven demand for beautiful, high-quality Japanese knives.

In response to these global trends, many Japanese knife makers have embraced cross-border e-commerce, using platforms like Amazon to reach customers abroad. One knife retailer in Gifu reports that 80% of its revenue comes from Amazon.com and the U.S. market.

However, at KIREAJI, we’ve chosen a different path.

We believe in a direct-to-customer approach—from Sakai’s master craftsmen straight to the hands of international customers.

• We cut out middlemen, reducing unnecessary costs
• We communicate the story and soul of each knife
• We preserve quality and trust, from the forge to your kitchen

This isn’t just about selling knives. It’s about delivering authenticity, staying true to our core values of transparency, trust, and real craftsmanship.

At KIREAJI, we are proud to represent the heritage of Sakai’s knife-making tradition on the global stage. We believe that authentic Japanese craftsmanship belongs in kitchens everywhere, whether you’re a Michelin-starred chef or a home cook who values quality.

That’s why we continue to ship directly from Sakai to the world—with no shortcuts, no compromises, and no middlemen.

Experience the true edge of Japanese craftsmanship. Welcome to KIREAJI.