The 5th Sakeology Symposium, organized by Niigata University, Niigata Prefecture, and the Niigata Sake Brewers Association, was held in a hybrid system (on-site and online) on  November 15, 2022, at Hotel Italiaken, Niigata.

This year, under the theme of “Dissemination of Sakeology: Activities and Expectations,” we introduced efforts to disseminate sake as a traditional culture of Japan and Sakeology both domestically and internationally.

The symposium began with a speech by USHIKI Tatsuo, M.D., Ph.D., President, Niigata University.

USHIKI Tatsuo, President of Niigata University

 

In “Part I: Dissemination of sake as Japanese traditional culture to inside and outside  Japan,” NEGORO Kyoko, Director General, the Japan Cultural Expo gave an invited lecture entitled “Visualization of cultural and tourism resources through the Japan Cultural Expo,” in which she explained how the Japan Cultural Expo project was launched and what its future goals are.

ONO Yoshiko, Ph.D., Head of Promotion Office, Sakeology Center, Niigata University (SCNU) gave a presentation entitled “Disseminating the appeal of Japanese traditional culture and sake through Sakeology as a project of the Japan Cultural Expo.” A digest version of the videos created with the grant from the Japan Cultural Expo was presented.

NEGORO Kyoko, Director General of the Japan Cultural Expo

 

The two guest speakers, SATO Jun, Ph.D., Professor, Faculty of Economics, Kanazawa Gakuin University, and IMADA Shuso, General Manager of JSS Information Center, Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association, gave lectures on the regional economics of sake and on issues to be worked on for the global dissemination of sake.

SATO Jun, Professor of Faculty of Economics, Kanazawa Gakuin University

 

IMADA Shuso, General Manager of JSS Information Center, Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association

 

In “Part II: Efforts for the development of Sakeology,” HIRATA Dai, Ph.D., Vice Director, SCNU, gave an introduction titled “Overview of the activities of Sakeology Center,” including the Bordeaux Summer School and the Graduate School’s Sakeology program (Master’s program) held this year.

Then, five specially appointed assistant professors, SCNU, presented their latest research.

During the presentation by NISHIDA Ikuhisa, Ph.D., Specially Appointed Assistant Professor, SCNU, the video entitled “Sake brewing micro tour,” which was illustrated by President USHIKI and featured both President USHIKI and Dr. NISHIDA, was also introduced as fun way to learn about the science of sake brewing.

The symposium concluded with messages from KANEOKE Mitsuoki, Ph.D., Director of Niigata Prefectural Sake Research Institute; ODAIRA Shunji, Chairman of Niigata Sake Brewers Association; and SUEYOSHI Kuni Ph.D., Executive Vice President and Director, Niigata University, who spoke about the development and prospects of Sakeology.

A total of 180 participants (on-site: 54, online: 126), including people from universities, research institutes, private companies, and other organizations, as well as the general public from inside and outside Niigata prefecture, attended the symposium.

 

*The videos “Knowledge-based Tourism of Sakeology: Exploring Niigata Sake,” created with a grant from the Japan Cultural Expo Project, are here. Please take a look.