How is Japanese Whisky protected internationally?

Talking about this topic is actually quite interesting. Before 2021, Japanese whisky was essentially "running naked" internationally, with little special protection, leading to a chaotic market filled with mixed quality products. But now, the situation is completely different, and the core protective measure is Geographical Indication (GI).

You can think of this "Geographical Indication" as an "officially certified household registration book."

Before the "Household Registration Book" (Before 2021):

The situation back then was very chaotic. Many merchants would import cheap whisky base spirits from abroad (like Scotland or Canada), ship them to Japan, and then at Japanese distilleries, they would add some water, adjust the color, bottle it, and slap on a Japanese-style label, selling it as "Japanese Whisky." Some whiskies didn't even contain a single drop of Japanese-produced spirit!

This was very unfair to consumers, as what you paid a high price for might not have been what you imagined at all. For distilleries genuinely dedicated to brewing locally in Japan, it was an even greater harm, as these "fakes" dragged down the reputation and value of the entire "Japanese Whisky" category.

With the "Household Registration Book" (Starting April 2021):

The Japanese government finally took action, registering "Japanese Whisky" with a household registration, formally establishing its GI. This regulation is very strict; to label a whisky as "Japanese Whisky," it must simultaneously meet the following core conditions:

1. Malt must be an ingredient: The raw materials for brewing must include malted grains (primarily barley).
2. Water must be from Japan: The water used for brewing must be sourced from within Japan.
3. Entire production in Japan: From saccharification and fermentation to distillation, the entire core production process must be completed at a distillery within Japan.
4. Aging must be in Japan: The distilled spirit must be aged in wooden casks for at least 3 years within Japan.
5. Bottling must also be in Japan: The final bottling must also take place in Japan.

How does this "household registration book" work internationally?

This is the power of intellectual property and trade protection.

• Bilateral and multilateral trade agreements: When Japan signs trade agreements with other countries or regions (such as the EU), this GI will be included. This means that the signatory countries recognize "Japanese Whisky" as a legally protected geographical name.
• On-the-ground enforcement: For example, suppose a French company imports American whisky, bottles it in France, and wants to label it "Japanese Whisky" to sell in Europe. Because the EU and Japan have an agreement recognizing this GI, French customs or market regulatory authorities can legally investigate and seize this product, as it violates geographical indication protection laws, constituting false advertising and infringement.
• Protecting reputation, enhancing value: This way, in the international market, consumers who see the term "Japanese Whisky" can be confident that it meets the strict standards mentioned above. It's like buying "Champagne" and knowing it must come from the Champagne region of France, or buying "Scotch Whisky" and knowing it must come from Scotland. This greatly protects the golden reputation of Japanese whisky, ensuring its international value and credibility.

In summary:

The international protection of Japanese whisky relies not on some mysterious power, but on a modern intellectual property tool—Geographical Indication (GI). It provides a clear legal definition for "Japanese Whisky" and then, through international trade agreements, ensures that countries worldwide recognize and enforce this definition. This not only keeps counterfeit products out but also allows consumers to make informed purchases, ultimately protecting the healthy development of the entire industry.