The Japan Foundation and SOAS are hosting a special symposium looking at the Japanese phenomenon that is sake. Widely seen as the national drink of Japan, sake exports have been booming in recent years, with its unique taste and wide range of flavours, it has been appearing more and more on UK menus. This seminar will bring together experts to discuss sake from various perspectives: historically, culturally, commercially and diplomatically.

The symposium will be followed by a sake tasting session, with experts on hand to guide you through the different types of sake available. We are delighted to be joined by five eminent speakers, each bringing a unique set of personal expertise.

Heritage of Sake Making and Future
Mr Koichi Saura ( 13th Generation of Kuramoto, Owner Urakasumi Sake Brewery, Vice President of Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Assosiation, Founding Chairman of Sake Samurai Association)

Internationalisation of Sake
Mr Yusaku Shimizu (Minister of Finance at the Embassy of Japan in the UK)

Sake Export from Japan and Overview of the UK Sake Market
Mr Hirohisa Ichihashi (Food Division Director of JETRO London)

International Sake Promotion through the IWC Wine Platform
Mr Chris Ashton (Director of International Wine Challenge IWC)

Promoting Sake Globally from London
Ms Rie Yoshitake (Sake Promoter, Sake Samurai UK, Rep of Japan Sake & Shochu Makers Association)

For more information and to see the speakers' full biographies, please visit the SOAS website. This event is free to attend, though booking is essential and spaces are limited. To book your free space please click here.