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We were honored to participate in the Tokyo Sake Challenge as judges—myself and three students from our certified sake sommelier course. This prestigious tasting event, organized by the Sake Sommelier Association and held in several countries worldwide, took place this time in Tokyo, allowing for the inclusion of unique entries such as craft sake and doburoku.

Sakes were submitted not only from Japan, but also from Brazil, Singapore, and Vietnam, showcasing the global appeal of Japanese sake. More than half of the judges were non-Japanese, and evaluation criteria included food pairing compatibility and aftertaste, reflecting a truly international standard. It was a meaningful step toward making sake a globally recognized beverage.

Having started in London, the Sake Challenge continues to expand to regions such as Singapore and Luxembourg. I was honored to serve as a main judge, and as an officially certified educator based in western Japan, I will continue to promote sake culture both at home and abroad.