Hello everyone, this is Chisato Tateno, 2025 Miss SAKE Japan.
On Tuesday, April 28, I had the honor of paying a courtesy visit to the office of Mr. Toshimitsu Motegi at the Second Members’ Office Building of the House of Representatives in Chiyoda, Tokyo. Ms. Mika Onishi, Representative Director of the Miss SAKE Association, also accompanied me on this occasion.
A Diplomatic Leader Connecting Japan and the World
Mr. Toshimitsu Motegi is a distinguished Japanese politician who has long supported Japanese politics as a member of the House of Representatives representing Tochigi Prefecture. Throughout his career, he has held numerous important positions, including Minister for Foreign Affairs, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Minister in charge of Economic Revitalization, and Secretary-General of the Liberal Democratic Party.
Particularly in the field of diplomacy, he has devoted himself to strengthening relationships of trust and promoting economic cooperation between Japan and countries around the world. In the international community, Mr. Motegi has also emphasized the importance of sharing not only Japan’s technological capabilities and economic strengths, but also the essence of “Japaneseness” through food culture and traditional culture. He recognizes Japanese sake and Japanese cuisine as important cultural elements that contribute to international exchange. At a time of increasing globalization, he is regarded as one of Japan’s leading politicians working to promote Japan’s charm to the world through political, economic, cultural, and human exchange.
Bringing Japanese Sake to the World
During our visit, we had the opportunity to introduce the activities of Miss SAKE and our initiatives both within Japan and abroad through Japanese sake. To date, Miss SAKE has visited 51 cities across 25 countries, promoting the charm of Japanese culture through sake and related traditions. Through activities such as events hosted at Japanese embassies, international conferences, educational institutions, receptions, and tasting seminars, we have worked to share not only the flavors of sake itself, but also the history, culture, regional identity, and the thoughts and dedication of the brewers behind each bottle.
In particular, we shared our recent experiences in the Republic of South Africa and Colombia, which we had visited until the day before this meeting. In both countries, growing interest in Japanese cuisine has also led to increasing attention toward sake year after year. During sake lectures and tasting seminars, many participants listened with genuine curiosity and enthusiasm. What left a particularly strong impression on me was that people were not only interested in the taste of sake, but also in deeper questions such as, “Why is sake made this way?” and “What kind of culture and climate gave birth to sake?” Through these interactions, I strongly felt the expanding potential of Japanese culture to transcend borders and resonate globally.
In addition to Miss SAKE activities, we also introduced inclusive initiatives such as Mr. SAKE, Mrs. SAKE, and Miss AMAZAKE, which involve people of different genders and generations in promoting Japanese culture.
Throughout our conversation, I also felt that I was able to share my own strong belief in the importance of cultural diplomacy — or “soft power” — which I have personally experienced through overseas activities. Beyond politics and economics, the uniquely Japanese elements of sake, Japanese cuisine, and traditional culture have the power to move people’s hearts and bring nations closer together. It was truly a valuable opportunity to reflect once again on that potential.
Through this visit to the office of Mr. Toshimitsu Motegi, I once again strongly realized that the potential of Japanese sake extends far beyond the framework of a traditional Japanese industry or food culture. Sake has the power to become a cultural bridge connecting people, communities, and nations. At a time when interest in Japanese culture continues to grow around the world, sake attracts people not only through its flavor, but also through the way it reflects the climate, history, and philosophy of its place of origin and its brewers. This visit became an important opportunity to think more deeply about the significance of sharing the essence of “Japaneseness” with the world.
As Miss SAKE, I will continue to carefully communicate the history, culture, regional appeal, and brewers’ passion embodied in Japanese sake both domestically and internationally. At the same time, I hope to sincerely continue activities that connect people through sake and contribute, even in a small way, to deepening understanding and appreciation of Japanese culture as a whole.
Chisato Tateno
2025 Miss SAKE Japan
