Jul 1, 2025
I participated as a representative of the GI Tone-Numata secretariat in the Emergency Measures Council Meeting for Rising Rice Prices, hosted by the Kanto-Shinetsu Branch of the Japan Sake Brewers Association.
At the emergency countermeasures council meeting held by the Kanto-Shinetsu branch of the Japan Sake Brewers Association in response to the soaring price of raw rice,
I participated as a member of the GI Tone-Numata secretariat.
I was once again struck by the reality that many sake breweries are being forced to reduce production or revise prices due to soaring prices and difficulties in procuring sake rice.
On the other hand, it is also true that these challenges could mark a structural turning point for the sake industry.
The discussions included several measures, such as diversifying raw material procurement, strengthening cooperation with agriculture, and coordinated efforts to adjust supply and demand.
Furthermore, more fundamental discussions were actively held regarding future GI certification and a review of the pricing system to promote a sustainable sake brewing culture.
In the face of a crisis that threatens to jeopardize Japanese sake and its culture, we intend to further strengthen our efforts to communicate with overseas audiences and take every possible action to convey the appeal of Japanese sake and its stories rooted in local culture to the world through tourism and exports.