Hello everyone,
My name is Chisato Tateno, 2025 Miss SAKE Japan.
On Saturday, December 13, I had the honor of attending the reception for “Cannes Directors’ Fortnight in Tokio 2025”, held at Jinnan Cafe Shibuya (Shibuya-ku, Tokyo). At the booth hosted by the Japan Sake Brewery Tourism Promotion Council, I had the opportunity to serve a selection of sake from across Japan to Japanese and French film industry professionals.
About “Cannes Directors’ Fortnight in Tokio 2025”
“Cannes Directors’ Fortnight in Tokio 2025” is a special, limited-time screening program that brings acclaimed films introduced at the Cannes Film Festival to Japanese audiences, including the widely celebrated Kokuhō. Organized by the Visual Industry Promotion Organization (VIPO), this event was realized in collaboration with the official independent section of the Cannes Film Festival, Directors’ Fortnight. Its aim is to present the diverse works screened at Cannes in 2025 not only to film enthusiasts, but also to professionals in the film and visual media industries, as well as to the younger generation who will shape the future of cinema. The event is being held at Human Trust Cinema Shibuya from December 12 to 25, offering a valuable opportunity to deepen understanding of international film culture.
For more details, please visit the links below.
A Moment of International Exchange Woven Through Film
The reception welcomed many film professionals from both Japan and France, creating a vibrant and celebratory atmosphere befitting the opening of “Cannes Directors’ Fortnight in Tokio 2025.” With cinema as a shared cultural language, new connections emerged across national borders and genres, allowing participants to truly feel the growing momentum of international cultural exchange.
The event opened with remarks from Julien Rejl, Artistic Director of the Cannes Film Festival’s Directors’ Fortnight, followed by a toast offered by Mathieu Fournet, Cultural Counsellor of the Embassy of France in Japan. This was followed by introductions of the participants involved in the program, along with opportunities to hear about the thoughts behind the films and their creative backgrounds. Conversations naturally blossomed around the showcased works, and a warm, open circle of dialogue formed as people exchanged perspectives on cinema beyond differences in nationality or position. Throughout the reception, the atmosphere remained welcoming and relaxed, making it a memorable occasion in which guests could experience global film culture while in Tokyo. I was truly delighted if Japanese sake was able, in its own modest way, to add a touch of elegance and help envelop the venue in a soft, friendly ambiance.
Midway through the reception, I was kindly introduced on stage by Mr. Sukehiro Hosono, Chairman of the Japan Sake Brewery Tourism Promotion Council, and had the opportunity to greet the guests as Miss SAKE. I am sincerely grateful for this valuable opportunity.
Japanese Sake as a Bridge of Friendship Between Japan and France
At the reception, we served a selection of distinctive Japanese sake from various regions of Japan at the Japan Sake Brewery Tourism Promotion Council’s booth. The featured labels were as follows:
Tamajiman Junmai Ginjo “Hana Ginjo” – Ishikawa Shuzo (Tokyo)
Sawanoi Tokyo Kurabito – Ozawa Shuzo (Tokyo)
Urakasumi No.12 Sparkling Silver Label – Saura (Miyagi Prefecture)
Kasen Daiginjo “Taioh” – Tamura Shuzojo (Tokyo)
Okunoto no Shiragiku Tokubetsu Junmai – Hakuto Shuzoten (Ishikawa Prefecture)
Some varieties were enjoyed so enthusiastically that they ran out shortly after service began. Many guests were able to fully appreciate the depth and character of sake as a representative element of Japanese culture. We received numerous heartfelt comments such as, “This is the best sake I’ve ever had,” as well as thoughtful questions about the regions and breweries behind each label. Regardless of nationality, there was a strong interest in sake culture, with many guests returning for additional tastings. This experience once again reminded me of sake’s power to connect people and cultures.
Through “Cannes Directors’ Fortnight in Tokio 2025” Reception, I was once again deeply moved by the way international cinema and Japanese sake resonate together, bringing people’s hearts closer across borders of language and nationality. Sake is not merely a beverage; it is a cultural expression imbued with local climate, history, and the dedication of those who create it. Experiencing its presence in such an international setting reaffirmed how profoundly its true value can be conveyed on the global stage.
As Miss SAKE, I will continue to carefully share the stories and backgrounds behind Japanese sake, serving as a bridge between sake and diverse cultures both in Japan and abroad. Through the preservation and promotion of sake culture, I am committed to sincerely pursuing activities that inspire new admirers of Japan.
Chisato Tateno
2025 Miss SAKE Japan
