Sakeology Center that newly started as a University-wide Organization for Research and Education on January 1, 2020 has opened on April 1, 2021 after the facility development was completed and a sake production license for test brewing was obtained.

The opening ceremony had been postponed due to the spread of COVID-19. However, measures were taken to prevent infection and they managed to hold the opening ceremony on Friday, July 2, 2021 in a hybrid format that combined small on-site gatherings and online.

At the ceremony, USHIKI Tatsuo, M.D., Ph.D., President of Niigata University, thanked the people concerned and talked about the background of the establishment of the Center. SUZUKI Kazushi, Ph.D., Director of Sakeology Center, also expressed his gratitude and talked about the past activities and future prospects.

Then Mr. SANO Tetsuro, Director General of Department of Industry and Labor, followed, speaking on behalf of Mr. HANAZUMI Hideyo, Governor of Niigata Prefecture, about expectations for the development of Niigata’s sake industry through industry-government-academia collaboration based at the Center. Mr. ODAIRA Shunji, Chairman of Niigata Sake Brewers Association, talked about further strengthening the industry-government-academia cooperation system and his expectations for the future as a representative of the Association.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held in front of the entrance of the Center; Mr. SANO Tetsuro, Mr. ODAIRA Shunji, Mr. TAKAHASHI Keiichi, Director of Niigata Tax Office, Dr. USHIKI Tatsuo, and Dr. SUZUKI Kazushi participated.

After the ceremony, HIRATA Dai, Ph.D., Vice Director of Sakeology Center, conducted a lab tour for the participants and press, showing the exhibition space, the sake tasting room, the sake test-brewing laboratory where sake can be made, and the sake and food taste analysis laboratory. A pre-made lab tour video was delivered to online participants.

Sakeology Center continues to focus on education, research, information dissemination and international exchange.