The producer of Roku Gin, Suntory Spirits, will pour ¥6.5 billion (US$42.8m) into its production plant in Osaka, Japan.
The Suntory Osaka Plant is where the company produces Roku, as well as other spirits and liqueurs.
The investment includes building a new facility within the Osaka plant, called the Osaka Spirits & Liqueurs Craft Distillery.
It will include new maceration tanks and distillation pots, which will see the plant up its production capacity by 2.6 times, and twofold specifically for spirits and liqueurs.
Suntory first announced the ¥5.5bn (US$36.2m) last year, which will go towards expanding production and improving quality capabilities.
A large part of this investment will help to strengthen Roku’s position in the gin market in Japan, as demand for the category in the region grows. Suntory noted that Japan’s gin market has grown approximately 3.5 times in size since 2019, and is estimated to be worth ¥25bn (US$164.7m) as of 2024.
The additional ¥1bn (US$6.5m) is earmarked specifically for a new visitor experience, which will be open to the public from spring 2026.
Key features will include a seminar room equipped with a 360-degree theatre, an indoor deck where visitors can overlook the new distillation pot stills and a seasonal pathway to the new distillery.
Suntory Spirits aims to grow the value of Japan’s total gin market to ¥45bn (US$296.4m) by 2030.
Last August, the House of Suntory spoke about the ‘huge opportunity’ that white spirits, such as its Japanese vodka and gin brands, presented for the company globally.
Earlier this month, the company also created a UK division, Suntory Global Spirits UK. This followed the creation of an Indian subsidiary in 2024.
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Author: Rupert Hohwieler
