When it comes to one of the biggest Japanese wine enthusiasts in the entertainment world, "Hige Danshaku's Higuchi-kun" immediately comes to mind.
On May 25, Yoichi Town in Hokkaido appointed him as the .
The role of the Yoichi Town Wine Ambassador is to support the grapes and wines produced in Yoichi Town.
Let's take a closer look at the details.
About the Yoichi Town Wine Ambassador
Yoichi Town is a wine grape producing region that boasts one of the highest production volumes in the country.
The Yoichi Town Wine Ambassador position was reportedly established to further promote its charms and enhance its image in order to build Yoichi's standing as a "renowned wine-producing region."
Upon its establishment, Higuchi-kun from the comedy duo "Hige Danshaku" (affiliated with Sun Music) was appointed as the ambassador.
With his help, the town hopes to conduct PR activities through wine across Japan.
Higuchi-kun, a Lover of Japanese Wine
Higuchi-kun developed an interest in wine through his comedy routine style, and in 2015, he passed the Wine Expert exam, a qualification equivalent to that of a sommelier.
In 2020, he was inaugurated as a "Sommelier d'Honneur (Honorary Sommelier)" by the Japan Sommelier Association, an honor awarded to those who have contributed to the promotion and development of Japanese wine.
He visits wine regions throughout Japan, pays close attention to the cultivation of the grapes used as the raw material for wine, and actively shares information to enhance the overall appeal of Japanese wine.
Regarding this ambassador appointment, Higuchi-kun commented: "Yoichi Town is now the 'sacred land of Japanese wine,' drawing attention from wine lovers across Japan. What actually sparked my interest in Japanese wine was a wine from a winery in Yoichi Town. Receiving this opportunity, I hope to follow closely not only the wine itself but also the production process of the grapes that serve as its raw material, and do my very best to share its appeal so that as many people as possible can enjoy Yoichi Town's wines."
There is a strong sense that Yoichi wine is going to become even more exciting.
Anticipating the Growth of Yoichi Wine!
Keisuke Saito, the mayor of Yoichi Town who appointed Higuchi-kun, commented: "We are very pleased that Higuchi-kun, one of the foremost Japanese wine lovers in the entertainment industry, has accepted the role of Wine Ambassador, a first for our municipality. We hope he will share the high potential of the wine and grapes produced in Yoichi Town with many people."
It will be exciting to see what kind of projects involving Higuchi-kun will unfold in Yoichi Town going forward.
Be sure to keep an eye on developments with Yoichi wine.