What Is Hemp (Industrial Hemp)?
Hemp is the name given to plants of the Cannabaceae family that are grown for industrial purposes — fiber, seed, and extracted compounds. In Japanese it is also called sangyo-yo taima, or industrial hemp. Varieties and products that contain almost no THC, the compound responsible for psychoactive effects, are used around the world as raw materials for food, beauty, and materials.
The Potential of Hemp
From food and CBD to textiles, building materials and energy — few crops seed as many industries as hemp. The global market is growing at roughly 18% a year, and Japan's industry is taking shape after the 2024 legal reform.
Breadth of uses3
25,000+
Products across 9 submarkets, including food, textiles, construction, paper and automotive
Market figures are estimates by the respective research firms.
- 1.Grand View Research, “Industrial Hemp Market Size To Reach $27.7 Billion By 2033”
- 2.Yano Research Institute, “Survey of the CBD Product Market” (August 2022)
- 3.U.S. Congressional Research Service, “Hemp as an Agricultural Commodity”
- 4.British Hemp Alliance, “Carbon Sequestration Potential of Hemp” (2025)
One Plant, Used Whole
From root to flower, almost nothing is wasted — and each part of the plant leads into a completely different industry.
- Seeds
- Food, hemp seed oil, cosmetics
- Flowers & leaves
- CBD & wellness products
- Bast fiber (stem)
- Textiles, apparel, paper, rope
- Hurd (stem core)
- Hempcrete, bioplastics, bedding
- Roots
- Soil improvement, carbon sequestration
Hemp, Industry by Industry
Food & beverage
Hemp seed, seed oil and protein — a plant-based source of complete protein and essential fatty acids.
CBD & wellness
Oils, cosmetics and beverages formulated with hemp-derived cannabinoids, growing worldwide.
Textiles & apparel
A strong, breathable natural fiber used for clothing, canvas and rope for centuries.
Construction (hempcrete)
Hurd mixed with lime makes a breathable building material that insulates and stores carbon.
Paper & pulp
Fast growth and high fiber yield per hectare make hemp a studied alternative to wood pulp.
Bioplastics & auto parts
Fiber-reinforced composites are already used in automotive interior panels and trim.
Feed & pet products
Press cake left after oil extraction feeds livestock; hurd makes absorbent animal bedding.
Biofuel & energy
Stalks and seeds are being studied as feedstock for bioethanol and biodiesel.
Agriculture & soil
A fast-growing rotation crop, also researched for soil structure and phytoremediation.
JIHE 2026 brings this whole spectrum together in one place.
Principal Uses of Hemp
CBD (Cannabidiol)
A hemp-derived compound attracting attention worldwide in the wellness and beauty fields. Used as an ingredient in a wide range of products, including oils, cosmetics, and beverages.
Food
Hemp seed, hemp oil, and hemp protein. Hemp seed has long been part of Japanese food culture — for example, in shichimi togarashi seven-spice blend.
Materials
Fiber, paper, building materials (hempcrete), bioplastics and more — drawing attention as sustainable materials with a low environmental footprint.
Agriculture & Environment
A fast-growing crop that can be cultivated with limited pesticide use. Research is also advancing from the standpoint of CO2 absorption and soil improvement.
If the Word "Cannabis" Gives You Pause
Although they belong to the same plant family, cannabis regulated as a controlled drug and hemp (industrial hemp) used for industrial purposes differ both in their intended use and in how they are treated under the law.
In Japan, the revised Cannabis Control Act took effect in December 2024, changing the basis of regulation from the part of the plant to the THC content. Only products at or below the residual limit set by the government are lawfully manufactured and distributed.
What is exhibited and displayed at JIHE (Japan International Hemp Expo) are lawful products, raw materials, and technologies that meet this standard.
Japan Enters Its New-Law Era
The December 2024 revision of the law put clear rules in place based on a residual THC limit. Japan is a market that has begun to move under its own regulatory framework, and handling and product development are expanding across the retail, beauty, food, and wellness industries.
The same revision also made cannabis-derived pharmaceuticals available for use under government control, and medical research and clinical applications are advancing internationally. CannaCon, the conference held as part of JIHE, also takes up these topics in medical cannabis — developments in Japan and abroad, and academic insights — together with experts.
Frequently Asked Questions
See the Hemp Industry Firsthand
At JIHE 2026 (Japan International Hemp Expo), brands, ingredient manufacturers, and testing laboratories from Japan and abroad come together in one place. Admission is free with advance registration.