Yoichi Town, Hokkaido is well-known as a producing region that yields high-quality wines.
Utilizing the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications' Local Vitalization Co-operator Program, the town announced that it has welcomed Mr. Toru Takamatsu, the first Japanese holder of the Master Sommelier (MS)* qualification.
*Distinct from the honorary title of Master Sommelier granted by the Japan Sommelier Association.
His activities will begin on May 1, 2021.
This is exciting news, raising expectations that Yoichi Town, Hokkaido will make further leaps as a wine-producing region.
Who is Toru Takamatsu?
Born in 1995, Mr. Takamatsu is originally from Sydney, Australia. He worked as a barista at restaurants from the age of 15, and was deeply moved by the taste of Burgundy wine at the age of 20.
Afterward, while working in restaurants in Australia and the United Kingdom, he visited wine regions around the world and continued his independent research into wine.
Then came 2019.
He passed the examination for Master Sommelier, standing at the pinnacle of the world's sommelier industry.
Furthermore, this was a first for a Japanese person, and he is currently regarded as the world's youngest qualification holder.
Mr. Takamatsu's Scope of Activities
According to Yoichi Town, Hokkaido, for the purpose of strengthening the production and promoting the industry of Yoichi-grown wine, Mr. Takamatsu will serve as a wine industry support staff member at Domaine Takahiko, which is featured on the wine list of the world-renowned Danish restaurant noma.
In addition, to foster the pairing of Yoichi's abundant resources with wine, his activities are planned to include bringing out charms that are little known even locally and communicating that information both within and outside the town.
Keisuke Saito, Mayor of Yoichi Town, commented: "By having Mr. Takamatsu, a certified Master Sommelier, active as a Local Vitalization Co-operator, I hope he will play an active role across many fields as a wine ambassador for various events and PR activities to expand the potential of Yoichi-grown wine both within and outside the town."
In addition to Mr. Takamatsu, for fiscal year 2021 the town has also commissioned two other Local Vitalization Co-operators: Ms. Yuki Jitsuda, a sommelier certified by the Japan Sommelier Association, as a wine industry support staff member, and Ms. Tomoko Homma, a food and travel writer, as a PR operations support staff member.
By elevating the value of "Yoichi-grown wine," the town intends to enhance local vitality and advance community development so that Yoichi Town serves as a model for regional revitalization.
Yoichi Town Toward Becoming One of Japan's Leading Wine Regions!
Regarding his appointment, Mr. Takamatsu commented: "While the international sommelier qualification is not as widespread here today compared to other countries, by moving to Yoichi Town, I would like to create opportunities for the world to experience the charms of Yoichi wine, even if just a little."
He also mentioned that, centering around his activities at Domaine Takahiko, he wishes to promote initiatives that lead to the development of Yoichi Town's overall wine industry.
Yoichi Town is one of the nation's premier regions producing high-quality Japanese wine.
Let us look forward to seeing many people recognize that Yoichi Town is an outstanding wine-producing region through the activities of this Local Vitalization Co-operator Program.
Yoichi Town Hall, Hokkaido, General Affairs Department, Planning and Policy Division
Phone (Direct): 0135-21-2117
Website