Japan to recommend sake brewing as UNESCO cultural heritage

Feb 26, 2022 | News On Japan

Feb 26, 2022 (Japan Times) - The Cultural Affairs Council has decided to propose traditional Japanese sake brewing techniques using koji mold as a candidate for UNESCO intangible cultural heritage listing.

After seeking approval at a meeting of relevant government agencies, the government council will submit a proposal on the registration of the traditional brewing techniques to the U.N. organization at the end of March, people familiar with the matter said Friday.

The UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee is expected to deliberate whether to inscribe them at its November 2024 meeting.

“Sake brewing is a traditional craft technique that has been established as work of the hand, and sake itself is deeply rooted in the social customs, rituals and festive events of Japanese people,” the council said of its reason for the proposal.

Koji is also used to make shochu and awamori distilled spirits.

Source: 日テレNEWS

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