Japan seeks GI tag for nihonshu

Posted By
10Pointer
Categories
Miscellaneous
Published
20th Oct, 2022

Context

The Embassy of Japan, New Delhi, has filed an application seeking a Geographical Indication (GI) tag for nihonshu/Japanese sake, an alcoholic beverage.

This is the first time a product from Japan has filed for a tag at the Geographical Indication Registry in Chennai.

About Nihonshu

It is regarded as a special and valuable beverage made from fermenting rice.
- People traditionally drink nihonshu on special occasions, such as festivals, weddings or funerals, but it is also consumed on a daily basis.
Thus, it is an integral part of the lifestyle and culture in Japan.
The sake market (almost all are nihonshu) is the second largest brewed liquor (such as beer) market in Japan.

How is it made?

For making nihonshu three main raw materials – rice, koji-kin (a type of fungal spore) and water – are required.
Its production follows an alcoholic fermentation method called parallel multiple fermentation and involves raw material treatment, koji making, starter culture making, mash making, pressing, heat sterilisation and bottling.
The rice and koji used should originate in Japan.

About GI Tag

It is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.
In order to function as a GI, a sign must identify a product as originating in a given place.
In addition, the qualities, characteristics or reputation of the product should be essentially due to the place of origin.
Since the qualities depend on the geographical place of production, there is a clear link between the product and its original place of production.