About Drink Japan organisers
Rie Yoshitake
Rie Yoshitake
Rie Yoshitake
Rie Yoshitake is the UK-Japan communication consultant and a leading Sake ambassador in Europe, where she represents The Japan Sake and Shochu Maker’s Association (JSSA), Sake Samurai Association (SSA), and the International Wine Challenge sake competition (IWC). She is also a director of the Japanese Culinary Academy in the UK, and the
Rie Yoshitake is the UK-Japan communication consultant and a leading Sake ambassador in Europe, where she represents The Japan Sake and Shochu Maker’s Association (JSSA), Sake Samurai Association (SSA), and the International Wine Challenge sake competition (IWC). She is also a director of the Japanese Culinary Academy in the UK, and the Japan Society. Rie has been spearheading numerous sake and Japanese food promotion campaigns at the highest profiled environment such as the Houses of Parliaments, Royal Palaces, embassies, universities and international corporations across Europe and the UK. Rie has come to be known as the "Sake Lady" of London, her adopted home, where she received the Japanese MAFF Minister’s Award (2014) and the Foreign Minister’s Award (2019) for her contribution towards raising the profile of Japan’s national drink and cuisine.
Chris Ashton
Rie Yoshitake
Rie Yoshitake
Chris Ashton managed the International Wine Challenge for over 16 years and was instrumental in developing the Sake division within the IWC.
Chris is a 'Cool Japan' Ambassador for the Japanese Government and also a Sake Samurai, awarded by the Sake Samurai Association, the Junior council of the Sake and Shochu Brewers Association in Japan.
Drink Japan Ambassador team
Toshie Hiraide
Toshie Hiraide
Toshie Hiraide
The time has arrived, that is what I feel for Drink Japan. Rie and Chris, my formidable partners in mission since we established IWC Sake Competition in 2007, are now determined to raise the profile of Japan’s alcohol drinks under one umbrella. How exciting it is and all my heart and support goes to them.
Koichi Saura
Toshie Hiraide
Toshie Hiraide
Japan’s alcohol drinks export has been increasing remarkably over last decade, and we are extremely pleased to witness the world has come to appreciate Japan’s traditional and modern drinks. To amplify this trend, I believe DRINK JAPAN gives us a timely and unique opportunity to promote Japan’s all alcohol drinks for one purpose capital
Japan’s alcohol drinks export has been increasing remarkably over last decade, and we are extremely pleased to witness the world has come to appreciate Japan’s traditional and modern drinks. To amplify this trend, I believe DRINK JAPAN gives us a timely and unique opportunity to promote Japan’s all alcohol drinks for one purpose capitalising the world’s most powerful journalism and the wine business network London has been always proud of.
Maxim Kassier
Toshie Hiraide
Maxim Kassier
Drink Japan is an outstanding platform that represents the Japanese drinks industry as a whole, providing consumers and beverage buyers with the opportunity to explore a diverse range of Japanese drinks in one convenient location. By consolidating the promotional efforts of various types of beverages, the platform significantly amplifie
Drink Japan is an outstanding platform that represents the Japanese drinks industry as a whole, providing consumers and beverage buyers with the opportunity to explore a diverse range of Japanese drinks in one convenient location. By consolidating the promotional efforts of various types of beverages, the platform significantly amplifies its impact. This approach is perfectly encapsulated by an African proverb: "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together''