Hello everyone, this is Chisato Tateno, 2025 Miss SAKE Japan.
On June 1, I had the honor of paying a courtesy visit to the Consulate-General of Japan in Hong Kong together with Szeching, who was newly appointed as 2026 Miss SAKE Hong Kong / Macao. We were also accompanied by Ms. Mai Morita, First Miss SAKE.
About the Consulate-General of Japan in Hong Kong
As Japan’s official diplomatic mission in Hong Kong, the Consulate-General of Japan in Hong Kong plays a vital role in promoting friendship between Japan and Hong Kong while supporting the development of economic, cultural, and people-to-people exchanges. Hong Kong is one of Asia’s leading international cities and maintains highly active economic and social ties with Japan. In addition to providing consular services, the Consulate-General undertakes a wide range of activities, including the promotion of Japanese culture, educational and tourism exchanges, and support for Japanese businesses operating in the region. Through these efforts, it serves as an important bridge connecting Japan and Hong Kong. On this occasion, we were honored to be received by Mr. Kazuki Matsubara, Deputy Consul-General; Mr. Shintaro Negishi, Consul; Mr. Yojin Komatsu, Director of the Economic Affairs Department and Consul. We had the opportunity to formally introduce the appointment of the 2026 Miss SAKE Hong Kong / Macao and to discuss the promotion of Japanese sake culture in Hong Kong, as well as our future activities and initiatives.
Sharing the Appeal of Japanese Sake Culture from Hong Kong
During the courtesy visit, Szeching and I shared our aspirations for future activities and our vision of communicating the beauty of Japanese sake culture from Hong Kong to the world. Szeching spoke passionately about her desire to introduce the richness of Japanese culture to a wider audience through sake. Her enthusiasm and sincere commitment were truly inspiring, and I was deeply encouraged by her vision for the year ahead.
I also introduced the activities of Miss SAKE, highlighting how the organization conducts approximately 450 activities annually both within Japan and overseas to promote not only sake itself, but also Japanese food culture, regional traditions, and the dedication of sake producers. In addition, I shared experiences from my recent international activities in countries such as the Republic of South Africa and Colombia, where I witnessed growing interest in Japanese sake and experienced firsthand its unique ability to connect people across borders and cultures.
The representatives of the Consulate-General kindly offered words of encouragement, expressing their hopes that sake culture would continue to strengthen ties between Hong Kong and Japan and create new opportunities for cultural exchange. The visit provided a valuable opportunity to reflect on the cultural significance and international potential of Japanese sake, while also serving as a great source of motivation
Through this courtesy visit to the Consulate-General of Japan in Hong Kong, I was once again reminded that Hong Kong is not only one of the most important overseas markets for Japanese sake, but also a key hub for sharing Japanese culture with the world.
In recent years, interest in Japanese sake in Hong Kong has continued to grow, extending beyond restaurants and specialty retailers into fields such as education, food pairing, and cultural experiences. Within this dynamic environment, I sincerely hope that the activities of 2026 Miss SAKE Hong Kong / Macao will further deepen understanding of sake culture and create new opportunities for exchange between Japan and Hong Kong.
As Miss SAKE, I will continue striving to share not only the appeal of Japanese sake itself, but also the history, culture, regional character, and the passion of the people behind it. Through these efforts, I hope to contribute to greater international exchange and mutual understanding through the universal language of sake.
Chisato Tateno
2025 Miss SAKE Japan
