Welcome to Issue #157 of SIN.
It’s official! Spring is here.
Nothing says spring in Japan more than the sight of cherry blossoms - and they are finally here for 2026. But as is the deal and appeal with cherry blossoms, blink and you’ll miss them.
Fortunately, the spring sake will be around for a little while longer.
And now for the news…
When The Arts Meet Artisanal
Ibaraki- One brewery has taken a unique left-turn in its executive staffing with the appointment of actor Yuka Kokoma as Executive Officer and Chief Creative Officer (CCO), of Nemoto Shuzō.
Kokoma, a Keio University literature graduate and former paralegal, brings a non-traditional background to the role. Originally from Ibaraki Prefecture, she is expected to leverage her experience in performance and communication, alongside a detail-oriented perspective developed through her legal work, to address a key challenge identified by the brewery: the gap between product quality and market visibility.
