What's happened
On December 4, 2024, UNESCO inscribed Japanese sake on its list of intangible cultural heritage. This recognition highlights sake's significance in Japan's culinary traditions and aims to rejuvenate interest in traditional sake brewing amid changing drinking habits among younger generations.
Why it matters
What the papers say
The Independent reported that sake is considered a 'divine gift' essential for social events, according to Takehiro Kano, Japan's ambassador to UNESCO. The South China Morning Post highlighted the hopes of chefs like Shinya Goshima for the designation to enhance the sake market in Hong Kong. The Guardian noted that sake's history dates back to the eighth century, emphasizing its cultural importance. Overall, the sources agree on the significance of this recognition for Japan's cultural identity and economic prospects.
How we got here
Sake has been integral to Japanese culture for over a millennium, featuring in historical texts like 'The Tale of Genji.' Recent trends show younger consumers shifting towards imported wines and domestic beers, prompting a need to revitalize sake's image.
More on these topics
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The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation is a specialised agency of the United Nations aimed at promoting world peace and security through international cooperation in education, the sciences, and culture.
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Sake, also spelled saké, is an alcoholic beverage made by fermenting rice that has been polished to remove the bran. Despite the name Japanese rice wine, sake, and indeed any East Asian rice wine, is produced by a brewing process more akin to that of bee
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Japan is an island country of East Asia in the northwest Pacific Ocean. It borders the Sea of Japan to the west and extends from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south.