“清酒”定義明確化，只有用國産米在國內製造者

Recently the Yomiuri News on-line reported the following:

「日本酒」定義明確化、国産米使い国内製造のみ

2015年06月11日 20時42分

　国税庁は、国産のコメを原料に国内で製造された清酒だけを「日本酒」として販売できるよう酒類業組合法のルールを改正する。

　自民党の財務金融部会などの合同会議に１１日に提示した。政府のクールジャパン戦略の一環として、海外で人気がある日本酒のブランド力を高め、輸出を後押しする狙いがある。

　年内にも、世界貿易機関（ＷＴＯ）協定に基づき、産地名を商品名に使用する「地理的表示制度」を適用する。新たな条件を満たさずに日本酒の販売が行われた場合は、取り締まったり、他国に取り締まりを要請したりできるようになる。日本酒の定義が明確になれば、品質などが保証された特産品と見なされ、ブランド価値の向上が期待できる。

　国税庁によると、これまでは国内で造られている清酒は、原料や製造地を問わず、すべて「日本酒」として販売できた。ただ、日本酒人気の高まりを受け、今後は、海外産の米を使った清酒の生産が活発になる可能性があるという。

(試譯文)

 The National Tax Administration Agency revised the rules governing the liquor business association in order that only those sake produced within the country and made from domestic rice could be sold as "sake".

 This was indicated in a joint financial session of the LDP monetary sub-committee etc. held on the 11^th (June). It was part of the cool Japan strategy of the government. It raised the brand name power of sake which was popular and there was also the aim to support its export.

 Within this year, it would be applicable to the World Trade Organization (WTO) agreement which used the "Geographical certification marking system" based on the production location and brand name. In case sake was sold without meeting the new conditions, the government would crack it down or to request another country to crack it down. When the definition of sake became clear, sake would be seen as a local specialty that had guaranteed quality. Improvements in the brand value could be expected.

 Up to now according to the National Tax Administration Agency, all sake made in country could be sold as "sake" regardless of the raw material used and the manufacturing location. As the popularity of sake was increasing, it was said that there would be a possibility that the production of sake using overseas rice might become active from now on.

Sometimes I enjoy sake; this new rule would help ensure its quality.