Geographical Indication (GI) System Launched to Protect Japanese Tea Brands
The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries announced on the 10th that it has registered Japanese tea under the "Geographical Indication (GI)" system, which allows the government to protect regional brands. This system guarantees the quality and reputation of agricultural, forestry, and fishery products produced in specific regions using traditional methods.
In recent years, there has been an increase in cases where tea leaves produced overseas are sold as "Japanese tea," making it difficult for consumers to accurately determine the origin of the product. The primary objective of this GI registration is to enhance the overall brand value of Japanese tea and clarify the distinction from overseas products.
However, experts have pointed out that there are still issues with the current labeling system for the origin of raw materials. Because there are cases where products can be labeled as "domestic" if the processing takes place in Japan, a structure that can easily mislead consumers still remains.
Moving forward, it is hoped that by utilizing the GI mark, an environment will be created where consumers can choose authentic Japanese tea with confidence. It is essential for producers and consumers to work together to protect Japan's traditional food culture.