Japanese breweries launch regional agricultural preservation projects

Japanese beverage producers are engaging in collaborative projects to revitalize regional agriculture and preserve traditional landscapes through specialized sake and shochu production.

In Fukushima, Daishichi Shuzo has announced the sale of ‘Daishichi Kimoto Special Junmai Sake Nishitani Tanada’. The brewery has been working for four years to preserve the Nishitani Rice Terraces in Nihonmatsu City, an area recognized by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. The project involves cultivating Yamada Nishiki rice in these terraces to produce limited-edition sake, aiming to protect the scenic landscape for future generations.

In Kumamoto, Ginza Onodera is partnering with local producers and breweries, including Chiyonoen Shuzo, Matsushita Brewing, and Amakusa Shuzo, for an ‘Original Sake Production Project’. The initiative focuses on cultivating raw materials—such as Yamada Nishiki rice and sweet potatoes—specifically designed to pair with the brand’s sushi. The project includes upcoming harvest and brewing events in October 2026 to promote Kumamoto’s sake culture globally and contribute to regional revitalization.