Standards for Labeling Japanese Whisky
Established February 12, 2021
Japan Spirits & Liqueurs Makers Association

Translation Disclaimer:
The translation of these Labeling Standards into the English language is intended solely as aconvenience and is not legally binding. The Japan Spirits & Liqueurs Makers Association has
attempted to provide an accurate translation of the original material in Japanese, but due tothe nuances of translation slight differences may exist.
Article 1

PurposeThe purpose of these standards for labeling Japanese whisky (hereinafter referred toas the "Labeling Standards") is to stipulate matters with respect to the specific labeling ofwhisky in order to contribute to the appropriate selection of whisky products by consumers inJapan and abroad, and to thereby protect the interests of consumers, ensure fair competitionand improve quality.
Article 2

Definitions of Terms

Except as otherwise provided herein, the terms in the Labeling Standards have themeanings ascribed to them in the Liquor Tax Act (Act No. 6 of 1953) (hereinafter the"Liquor Tax Act"), the Act on the Preservation of Liquor Tax and Liquor Industry
Association (Act No. 7 of 1953) (hereinafter referred to as the "Liquor Association Act"), theFair Competition Code on the Labeling of Whisky (Japan Fair Trade Commission Public
Notice No. 22, dated August 7, 1980) and the Enforcement Regulations of the Fair
Competition Code on the Labeling of Whisky (as approved and enacted by the Japan Fair
Trade Commission on July 30, 1980).
Article 3

Scope of Application

The Labeling Standards apply to whisky sold in Japan or sold from Japan for overseas
use by business operators.1
Article 4Labeling in Accordance with Applicable Laws and Regulations

In addition to complying with the Labeling Standards, business operators shall, to theextent applicable, appropriately label whisky products in accordance with the requirements
for labeling whisky under the Liquor Industry Association Act and the Food Labeling Act(Act No. 7 of 2013).
Article 51Standards of Use of Specified Term for Whisky

For the purpose of the Labeling Standards, "business operator" means any person who produces and sells
whisky or any person who bottles and sells whisky in Japan.

1. The specified term for whisky listed in the left column of the following table may be
used to label a whisky product only when such whisky satisfies the production
method quality requirements set forth in the right column.
Term"Japanesewhisky" (or"Japanesewhiskey")

Production Method Quality Requirements
Raw ingredients must be limited to malted grains, other cereal grains, andRaw
water extracted in Japan.
ingredients
Malted grains must always be used.
Saccharification, fermentation, and distillation must be carried
Production out at a distillery in Japan. Alcohol content at the time ofdistillation must be less than 95%.
The distilled product must be poured into wooden casks notProduction
Aging
exceeding a capacity of 700 liters and matured in Japan for amethodperiod of at least 3 years thereafter.
Bottling must take place only in Japan, with alcoholic strength
Bottlingof at least 40% as of such time.
OtherPlain caramel coloring can be used.

2. The specified term set forth in paragraph 1 shall include the words “Japanese” and“whisky" (or "whiskey") in a unified and integrated manner without inserting
additional words between them.
3. For whisky that meets the production method quality requirements set forth inparagraph 1, the type of whisky may be indicated together with the specified term if
based on the permissible labeling of types of whisky under the Fair Competition
Code2.
Article 6

Prohibition of Misleading Labeling

1. The specified terms set forth in Article 5 may not be used in labeling products unlessthe production method quality requirements set forth in Article 5 are satisfied, even if
such terms are expressed through or with (i) words that have the same meanings as
those terms (e.g., "Nihon whisky” or "Japan whisky"), (ii) translations into Japaneseor a foreign language or (iii) terms such as "type" or "style".
2. Business operators shall not use labeling that includes any of the items below for
products that do not satisfy the production method quality requirements set forth inArticle 5, unless measures are taken to clarify that the product being labeled does notmeet such requirements:(i) Names of people that evoke Japan(ii) Names of Japanese cities, regions, famous places, mountains and rivers(iii) The Japanese flag or a Japanese era name(iv) Any other labeling that makes it likely that the product being labeled ismistaken for a product that satisfies the production method quality
requirements set forth in Article 5.
3. Business operators shall not use labeling that makes it likely that alcohol products that
do not meet the definition of "whisky" under the Liquor Tax Act are mistaken forwhisky, and shall not supply, or cooperate in supplying, alcohol products to vendorsthat use such labeling.

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It is currently understood that the types of whisky permitted to be labeled under the Fair Competition Codeinclude the following: "Malt Whisky", "Grain Whisky", "Blended Whisky", "Straight Whisky", "SingleWhisky" and "Pure Whisky".

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Article 7

Administration of Labeling Standards

The Labeling Standards shall be administered by the Japan Spirits & Liqueurs Makers
Association, and any uncertainty in their interpretation or use of specific terms shall bedeliberated by a committee entrusted by its board of directors.
Supplementary Provisions
Article 1

Effective Date

The Labeling Standards shall be effective April 1, 2021.
Article 2

Transitional Provision

Where a business operator has used the specified terms set forth in Article 5(including the expressions specified in Article 6.1) or the items set forth in Article 6.2 inselling whisky products on or prior to March 31, 2021, such business operator may continue
using such labeling only for such products until March 31, 2024.

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