On June 29, Division of Regional Development Studies, Graduate School of Human and Socio-Environmental Studies hosted a symposium on Sake in Kanazawa city. The event was one of “KU-GLOCS ACT Series” and 64 persons from within and outside the university attended the event.

Mr. Jun SATO, Senior Executive Officer from Japan Economic Research Institute Inc., presented his keynote speech “Sake Industry in Transition From Industrial Product to Cultural Product.” Then, a graduate student from the Division of Regional Development Studies, Graduate School of Human and Socio-Environmental Studies gave his report on the movement on Sake in Hokuriku region.

In addition, there were short reports from Fukumitsuya Sake Brewery on the company’s foundation, their strategy highlighting Junmai-shu (sake made only from rice, koji and water) and utilization of Sake in food products and cosmetics, and from a student group “N-project” on product development of Sake.

Afterward, there were active discussions between the participants including producers, distributors and local governments.