The government of Japan intends to strengthen support for the expansion of sake exports, the Chief Cabinet Secretary said during his visit to a sake brewery which is committed to exporting its products.
He said that the government would support the development of new products which targetted overseas consumers; invite foreign buyers to Japan; and use the Geographical Indication system which regulates the intellectual property rights of agricultural products.
“Sake has great potential as an agricultural export, and it’s necessary to promote high-value-added products, set prices accordingly and have a brand strategy,” he told reporters.
Although Suga doesn’t drink alcohol, he sipped a bit on that day.
In 2018, Japan exported about ¥22.2 billion of sake, an increase of 19 percent from the previous year. It exports the most to the United States followed by Hong Kong, China and South Korea.