Welcome to Issue #39 of Sake Industry News.
While we wish we could start this issue with some good news, the reality is the sake industry is facing yet another hurdle right as it begins closing down the brewing season.
Due to rising COVID numbers (and, let's be honest, a dogged desire to hold the Olympics) the Japanese government, in all its wisdom, has declared a State Of Emergency in Tokyo and Osaka. One of the conditions of this declaration deems that while the declaration is in effect, all restaurant and bar venues are to refrain from serving alcohol completely until May 11. Needless to say, this is a devastating move for the hospitality industry and, by extension, the sake industry.
Nobody wants to see COVID get out of control here in Japan, but sacrificing the liquor and hospitality industry for the sake of the Olympics is certainly not winning the government any fans at the moment. All the more reason to get down to the local liquor store and stock up on home supplies of sake a…
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