Welcome to Issue #88 of SIN.
As some of the news in this issue highlights, sake is becoming more and more "international". With Japanese businesses buying into foreign enterprises and more and more outside players making inroads into Japan, recent activities pose some interesting questions for the future of sake.
For brewers, the task of balancing the needs of its aging market and loyal, local consumers with the potential for growth in foreign and youth markets is something that requires genuine consideration. It's a fascinating case study to watch how an industry this old and steeped in tradition moves into the 21st century. For the most part, those that are embracing the future seem to be doing it well, and for those that are unable to adapt, it appears there is no shortage of interested parties that can see the potential for sake and are more than willing to step in to get a piece of the pie (or mochi in this case?).
And now for the news...
Takara Holdings Moves Into The Great White North
Canada- Takara Shuzō International, the overseas operation arm of Takara Holdings, has taken a serious dive into the Canadian market with its purchase of eastern Canada's sole sake brewery.
The sake juggernaut acquired an 80 percent stake of 2241559 Ontario Limited, known locally as the Ontario Spring Water Sake Company, the main brand of which is Izumi, to make it a subsidiary of Takara Holdings on May 8 for an undisclosed sum. The company plans to launch into sake production marketed towards North American consumers with an emphasis on creating synergy with its already existing Japanese food wholesale business.
The new brewing facility will produce sake for the USA as well as Canadian drinkers. President of Takara Shuzō International, Minori Mori said of the acquisition, "Having a production facility so close to the targeted market will allow us to respond effectively to the needs of the consumer."
The Ontario Spring Water Sake Company was founded in 2010. The company's consolidated sales for the fiscal year ending April 2010 came in at just over two million Canadian dollars (1.5millUSD, 200milJPY). The brewery had been producing junmai sake made from California rice under the label, Izumi, as well as pre-mixed sake cocktails made with yuzu and apple juice.
Source - Sankei
JG: Wow! Again! Takara Shuzō shows that their purchase of Wakaze was not just a one-time thing, but rather an indication of a conscious change of direction from the past, and a commitment to growth in that direction. And being the largest sake company in the world, who might follow? It’s exciting to think about where this might lead. Between our readership and me, I wonder from which side the impetus came!
宝酒造インターナショナル
New Face In Fukuoka
Fukuoka- A new brand has hit the market following the rebirth of a brewery that closed two years ago.
Hoshikuma Shuzō had operated in Miyama City, Fukuoka Prefecture producing sake under its main brand, Tomohisago since 1854. However without a successor in the family to take over the business, the brewery went into hibernation. In 2022, the brewery's license was acquired by one Mr. Yoshimoto - an avid sake drinker and businessman, whose previous experience was primarily concerned with operating arcade game centers.
Listen to this episode with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to Sake Industry News to listen to this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.
