As of June 30, 2025, a total of 607 functional foods have been approved by Japan's Consumer Affairs Agency.GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid) remains a top-performing ingredient in the Japanese functional food market, leading in the number of approvals in the first half of the year.From an overall perspective, Japanese consumers continue to show strong interest in functional claims related to weight management, sleep support, eye health, bone health, oral beauty, and gut health-all of which are driving innovation in ingredient development and product launches.
Japan's Favorite Functional Ingredient: GABA
According to leading industry media, GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid) has consistently topped the list of functional ingredient filings from 2021 through the first half of 2024. In the first half of 2025, GABA remains the most frequently registered functional ingredient in Japan-solidifying its reputation as a market favorite.
GABA is a naturally occurring amino acid widely present in the mammalian nervous system. It functions as an inhibitory neurotransmitter, helping calm the overactive central nervous system, thereby promoting physical and mental relaxation. These properties make GABA highly valued for its benefits in supporting emotional balance, stress relief, fatigue reduction, and improved sleep quality.
Another reason behind GABA's popularity lies in its natural origin. It can be found in various plant sources such as tea leaves, red beans, mushrooms, and tomatoes. GABA is well-metabolized by the human body, non-habit-forming, and considered safe for long-term use.
In the first half of 2025, GABA-based products submitted for functional food approval in Japan focused on several key health claims, including:
Enhancing sleep quality (e.g., deeper sleep and faster awakening)
Alleviating temporary mental stress and fatigue
Supporting healthy blood pressure levels
Maintaining muscle mass in aging adults
Reducing mental and physical decline with age
Supporting skin elasticity and resilience
Ellagic Acid: A Rising Star in Japan's Weight Management Market
Ellagic acid has become a standout ingredient in Japan's weight loss category since 2024, gaining recognition for its multiple benefits in weight management and fat reduction. As of 2025, it remains one of the most actively applied functional ingredients in this area.
Research and regulatory filings suggest that ellagic acid can help reduce body weight, lower body fat percentage, decrease triglyceride levels, target visceral fat, and support improvements in individuals with high BMI-making it especially attractive for Japan's growing market of metabolic health and lifestyle-related interventions.
In Japan, the most common sources of ellagic acid used in functional foods are pomegranate extract and African mango extract, both of which are known for their high polyphenol content and natural origin.
Lutein & Zeaxanthin: Core Ingredients for Eye Health in Japan
Lutein and zeaxanthin are the dominant ingredients in Japan's eye health category. These carotenoids are frequently used either individually or in combination with other bioactives to enhance visual support and protection. Their primary mechanism involves increasing macular pigment optical density (MPOD) and improving contrast sensitivity, which helps the eyes filter harmful blue light and reduce oxidative stress caused by visual strain.
Lutein and zeaxanthin have become go-to ingredients for formulating functional foods targeting digital eye fatigue, blue light protection, and age-related vision decline-key concerns among aging populations and screen-heavy lifestyles in Japan.
Other Trending Functional Ingredients in Japan
Polymethoxyflavones from black ginger and tea saponins have both emerged as leading ingredients in the weight management segment.
Astaxanthin is a multifunctional "all-rounder" that is primarily used for oral beauty (skin health and anti-aging), but also increasingly appears in eye health formulations due to its antioxidant power.
Glucosylceramides from various botanical sources are widely used in moisturizing and skin hydration products.
Resistant dextrin continues to lead in applications for gut health and blood sugar regulation, making it a top choice for metabolic support.
Functional Food Innovation in Japan: A Decade of Growth
Japan's Foods with Function Claims (FFC) system was officially introduced in 2015. Unlike the Foods for Specified Health Uses (FOSHU), FFC products are not required to undergo government evaluation for efficacy or safety. Instead, manufacturers are responsible for substantiating the functional claims with scientific evidence before submitting to the Consumer Affairs Agency.
By the 10th anniversary of the system-as of June 30, 2025-a total of 9,910 FFC products have been approved in Japan. This reflects the country's robust innovation and growing consumer demand in the functional food and nutraceutical sector.
As a global leader and trendsetter in functional food development, Japan's approach to ingredient innovation, streamlined regulatory processes, and diverse health claims provides valuable insights for manufacturers and marketers worldwide.
Data and images in this article are sourced from the Japan Consumer Affairs Agency.