Hello everyone,
This is Chisato Tateno, 2025 Miss SAKE Japan.
On April 23, I had the opportunity to be interviewed about the activities of Miss SAKE at the headquarters of Semana, one of Colombia’s most historic and influential weekly news magazines. The interview has been published in both the magazine’s print and online editions. I was honored to be accompanied by Mika Onishi, Representative Director of the Miss SAKE Association.
About Semana
Semana is one of Colombia’s leading news media outlets, originally founded in 1946. Covering a wide range of topics including politics, economics, society, international affairs, and culture, it has played a significant role in shaping public discourse and opinion in Colombia for decades.
The publication is particularly well known for its investigative journalism and in-depth feature articles on political and social issues, earning recognition not only within Colombia but also throughout Latin America and the broader international community. Although publication was temporarily suspended after its initial launch, Semana was revived in the 1980s and has since expanded beyond print into a major digital media platform.
Through its official website and social media channels, Semana continues to deliver breaking news and feature stories to a diverse readership ranging from the general public to business leaders, government officials, and researchers. Backed by decades of credibility and influence, it remains one of Colombia’s most respected and impactful media organizations today.
▼ Official Website: Semana
Bringing Japanese Sake to Colombia
During our visit to the Semana headquarters, I was interviewed about the activities of Miss SAKE.
The interview covered a variety of topics, including my role as Miss SAKE, my passion for sake, my impressions of Colombia, and the future potential for sake to become more widely appreciated in the country.
I shared my thoughts on Colombia’s pleasant climate, the warmth and friendliness of its people, and its established rice-based food culture. Against the backdrop of growing interest in Japanese cuisine and culture, I expressed my hope that sake will continue to gain recognition and popularity throughout Colombia. Ms. Mika Onishi, Representative Director of the Miss SAKE Association, also spoke about future initiatives such as the possibility of launching a Miss SAKE Colombia competition. Through creating new opportunities like this, she emphasized the importance of further strengthening mutual understanding and friendship between Colombia and Japan.
Toward the end of the interview, I was asked a simple yet profound question:
“If you could describe sake in one word, what would it be?”
The question prompted me to reflect once again on what sake truly means to me.
For me, sake is a “story.”
Behind every bottle of sake lies a unique story woven from generations of history, the craftsmanship of brewers, the climate and culture of each region, and the meaningful connections created when people share a cup together. I believe that it is the layering of all these elements that gives each sake its own irreplaceable value.
This interview reaffirmed for me the importance of sharing not only the flavors of sake, but also the stories and cultural heritage behind it with people around the world. It strengthened my determination to continue bringing the value and beauty of sake directly to more people across the globe.
Featured in Semana
The interview has now been published in both the print and online editions of Semana.
I sincerely hope that this feature will further deepen interest in Japanese sake and Japanese culture throughout Colombia.
For more details, please see the article below:
▼ Online Article
“El sake conquista Colombia: la apuesta cultural de Japón con la visita de Miss Sake 2025”
https://www.semana.com/turismo/articulo/el-sake-conquista-colombia-la-apuesta-cultural-de-japon-con-la-visita-de-miss-sake-2025/202656/
