Yakushu (or kusuri-zake), made by immersing ingredients in alcoholic beverages, was prevalent in early modern Japan for improving health conditions. This study focuses on kiku-zake, which is made using the chrysanthemum flower and shochu or sake, and discusses the significance of the base liquor in making kiku-zake. First, we found that kiku-zake could have beneficial effects, such as relieving headaches and improving the eyes and ears condition, through a literature survey, which are common health concerns for a wide generation. Thereafter, we immersed edible chrysanthemum in shochu or sake and obtained chrysanthemum extracts (CE-shochu or CE-sake) to demonstrate their effect on cultured cells. Both CE-shochu and CE-sake suggested a headache-easing effect through COX2 gene suppression and improvement of the eye conditions by increasing intracellular glutathione levels. sake suppressed COX2 gene expression, indicating that it is bioactive regardless of the presence of chrysanthemum. However, shochu did not exhibit such effects without chrysanthemum. These results suggest that shochu provides the chrysanthemum flowers with medicine-like activities and that people in early modern Japan could benefit from kiku-zake, specifically that made using shochu.

During the period of high economic growth, Japanese society, including its lifestyle and food culture, underwent major changes, impacting the consumption of confectionery. It promoted confectionery manufacturers to develop new products and changed the market of the confectionery industry, leading to changes in the industry structure. This study focuses on the period of high economic growth up to 1985. The study aims to examine the confectionery consumption trends and the changes in the confectionery market, including those in the related to market sales, against the background of changes in tastes influenced by distribution, lifestyle, and food culture.

The household budget survey was first classified into Western and Japanese confectionery based on quantitative data, and their consumption trends were analyzed from a macro perspective. Several target items were selected and the relationship between them and changes in distribution were examined. Then, we conducted a qualitative analysis based on the company history and materials of each manufacturer in the confectionery industry and investigated the marketing changes in the confectionery industry.

The results revealed that the confectionery industry experienced an increase in the quantity and quality of Western confectionery against the backdrop of the high economic growth in Japan. The composition ratio of Japanese and Western confectionery reversed in 1976, with the consumers’ tastes becoming Westernized and the expansion in the confectionery market.

In November 1985, the All Nippon Kashi Association was established to unite the confectionery industry to deal with the major challenges associated with trade liberalization. This was a symbolic event that marked a change in the structure of the confectionery industry.

An online questionnaire survey was conducted from January 3 to 31, 2023, with 2,586 respondents aged 18 to 80 years to examine Japanese New Year’s festivities, food consumption, and the impact of the coronavirus disaster. The survey was conducted consistently across all generations. However, the percentage of respondents aged 50 years and older who traditionally consumed Zoni and Osechi dishes showed a significant decrease. In relation to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, half of the respondents simplified their cleaning and New Year’s cooking activities, stopped gathering with relatives, and changed the timing of their New Year’s visits. The other half reported no changes. Among those who started holding New Year’s events after the pandemic, more than 75% stated that they would continue to do so in the future. Of those who simplified their New Year’s events due to the pandemic, more than half have resumed them. This phenomenon was especially prevalent among the younger generation. Respondents in their 10s and 20s were more likely to say that the COVID-19 pandemic had made them realize the importance of gathering with family and relatives for New Year’s. This suggests that the pandemic provided an opportunity to reevaluate traditional events.