AAPI Heritage Month "Sake and Shochu, A Taste of Japanese Tradition & Craftsmanship"
2025/5/15
CG Osumi’s remarks
Supervisor Chan and Shriffe Miyamoto
On Thursday, May 8, the Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco, in partnership with the San Francisco Public Library held the event, “Sake and Shochu: A Taste of Japanese Tradition & Craftsmanship”.
This event was organized in celebration of Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month in May, with participation from Consuls General and spouses of other Asia-Pacific nations among others. The event started with opening remarks from the City Librarian Michael Lambert, followed by speeches from Consul General Yo Osumi, President of the San Francisco APA Association Claudine Cheng, San Francisco Supervisor Connie Chan, and San Francisco Sheriff Paul Miyamoto, who each discussed the contributions and cultural richness of the AAPI community, highlighting the importance of diversity, unity, and mutual respect.
In 2024, the traditional knowledge and skills of sake-making with koji mold in Japan— which are used to make sake, shochu, awamori, and mirin—were inscribed in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list. During the program, Mr. Yoji Ogawa from Ozeki Sake (U.S.A) Inc., gave a presentation on sake brewing, while Mr. Yoshihiro Yamamoto from iichiko USA explained shochu production. Participating Sake and Shochu vendors (Ozeki Sake (U.S.A) Inc., Takara Sake USA, Inc., iichiko USA, Wismettac Asian Foods, Inc.) also introduced their products, offering samples to attendees and providing tastings to help deepen understanding. Chef Munetaka Igawa, the executive chef at the official residence, prepared small bites to compliment the sake and shochu. Guests also enjoyed chocolate from Deux Cranes and snack to enhance the drink samples. Through Japan’s fermentation culture and brewing traditions, the event served as an opportunity to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month and explore the depth and diversity of Japanese culture.
This event was organized in celebration of Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month in May, with participation from Consuls General and spouses of other Asia-Pacific nations among others. The event started with opening remarks from the City Librarian Michael Lambert, followed by speeches from Consul General Yo Osumi, President of the San Francisco APA Association Claudine Cheng, San Francisco Supervisor Connie Chan, and San Francisco Sheriff Paul Miyamoto, who each discussed the contributions and cultural richness of the AAPI community, highlighting the importance of diversity, unity, and mutual respect.
In 2024, the traditional knowledge and skills of sake-making with koji mold in Japan— which are used to make sake, shochu, awamori, and mirin—were inscribed in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list. During the program, Mr. Yoji Ogawa from Ozeki Sake (U.S.A) Inc., gave a presentation on sake brewing, while Mr. Yoshihiro Yamamoto from iichiko USA explained shochu production. Participating Sake and Shochu vendors (Ozeki Sake (U.S.A) Inc., Takara Sake USA, Inc., iichiko USA, Wismettac Asian Foods, Inc.) also introduced their products, offering samples to attendees and providing tastings to help deepen understanding. Chef Munetaka Igawa, the executive chef at the official residence, prepared small bites to compliment the sake and shochu. Guests also enjoyed chocolate from Deux Cranes and snack to enhance the drink samples. Through Japan’s fermentation culture and brewing traditions, the event served as an opportunity to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month and explore the depth and diversity of Japanese culture.
CG and Ms. Osumi with Ms. Cheng
CG and Ms. Osumi with Mr. Lamber
Ozeki Sake Presentation
iichiko USA Presentation
Sake tasting
Group photo with Consuls General
