Japan's swine census for 2022 is projected to show a 2% decrease from the 2021 inventory, but pork production is expected to rise due to a strong domestic demand and a projected increase in the 2022 sow census. The number of swine holdings continues to decline due to succession issues, leading to an increase in average farm size. Pork imports, which dropped significantly in the first half of 2021 due to restaurant closures and transport restrictions, are predicted to rise in 2022 as flight schedules improve and prices fall. However, pork imports are still not expected to reach pre-pandemic levels until food demand fully recovers.