The National Tax Agency has opened a public comment period on a draft that would designate "Japanese Whisky" as a geographical indication for distilled spirits, with Japan as the production area. Comments must arrive by Monday, November 30, and the draft was posted on October 30.
What the draft requires
A bottle using the name would have to be made from malt and water drawn in Japan, and from nothing else except grain and caramel colouring, using the whisky method defined in the Liquor Tax Act. The Japan-only condition applies to the water. The draft does not say the grain must be grown in Japan.
Saccharification, fermentation, distillation and storage must all happen in Japan. Distillate must come off the still below 95% alcohol and be stored in wooden casks of 700 litres or less for at least three years, counted from the day after storage begins. Colouring must be kept to the necessary minimum.
Bottling is also covered: the liquor must be filled in Japan into containers meant for consumers, at 40% alcohol or more at filling.
Who checks
Before the liquor leaves the production site, a body called the Japanese Whisky Management Council must confirm it meets the rules, under its own operating procedures. The draft excludes removals covered by Article 28, paragraph 1 of the Liquor Tax Act from this timing requirement. The council is based at a Nihonbashi address in Tokyo. The draft gives no effective date or transition period.
How to comment
The tax agency accepts comments in Japanese only, by post, fax (03-3593-0406) or the e-Gov portal. Submissions must include a name, contact details and reasons. The agency says it may publish comments without names and contact details and will not reply to individuals.
The designation is a proposal, not yet final.