Shizuoka distillery fuels Japan’s whisky boom

admin 2024年2月14日

Beginner

Japan News, japan news - beginner

Pre-reading questions:

I will read each question. Then, please answer them.

講師がそれぞれの質問を読むので答えましょう。

Are you familiar with the history of whisky or spirit production in any specific country or region?
Do you know about the ingredients used in making different types of whiskies or spirits?

Vocabulary:

I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.

単語、意味、例文を読みます。講師に続いて音読しましょう。

demand /dih-MAND/

[noun] – the desire or need for a particular product or service within a specific market or among consumers
The demand for organic produce has been steadily increasing among health-conscious consumers.

celebrate /SEL-uh-breyt/

[verb] – to recognize an important occasion by taking part in an activity that makes it special
Every year, our family gathers to celebrate Thanksgiving with a traditional feast and expression of gratitude.

succeed /suhk-SEED/

[verb] – to achieve something that you have been aiming for, and if a plan or piece of work succeeds, it has the results that you wanted
Despite facing challenges, she worked hard and managed to succeed in her goal of starting her own business.

rise /rahyz/

[verb] – to become higher
Due to increased demand, the cost of gasoline continues to rise, impacting the prices of various goods and services.

quality /KWOL-i-tee/

[noun] – how good or bad something is
The restaurant is known for its exceptional food quality and attentive service.

Article reading:

Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.

記事を音読しましょう。講師はあなたの発音とイントネーションを確認します。

Shizuoka Distillery, found in Japan, is known for making whisky independently, using cedar from nearby forests to meet the global demand for good drinks. Japan celebrates a hundred years of making whisky since Suntory’s first distillery in 1923. Japan has over 100 distilleries trying to make their own identity in the growing market. Shizuoka stands out by using a special fire with cedar for its whisky-making process.

Even though they are smaller compared to big companies like Suntory, these new distilleries dream of making a mark worldwide. Taiko Nakamura, who started Shizuoka Distillery in 2016, got inspired in Scotland. Seeing a small distillery succeed globally in the whisky market motivated him to make whisky beloved worldwide. Craft whisky in Japan grew fast but then slowed by 2015. The demand grew faster than what was available, making prices rise. Big companies like Suntory and Nikka expanded to keep up with quality. Yet, worries came up about the whisky’s quality, risking Japan’s great reputation. Nakamura from Shizuoka says it’s important to keep the legacy of amazing Japanese whisky, insisting on making great Japanese spirits.

True or False:

Read the sentences and identify if they are true or false based on the article.

文章を読んで、記事に基づいて正誤を答えましょう。

Shizuoka Distillery, located in Japan, primarily focuses on producing sake instead of whisky.
Japan marks a century of whisky-making since Suntory established its initial distillery in 1923.
Japan currently has fewer than 50 distilleries involved in whisky production, struggling to find their footing in the global market.
Shizuoka Distillery stands out by utilizing a unique method involving cedar-infused firewood in their whisky-making process.
Taiko Nakamura, the founder of Shizuoka Distillery, drew inspiration from American bourbon distilleries rather than Scottish whisky makers.

Fill in the blanks:

Choose the correct word from the table then fill in the blanks.

適切な言葉を選んで空欄を埋めましょう。

demand

celebrate

succeed

rise

quality

When purchasing a new car, consumers often prioritize safety and build __________.
Inflation has caused the prices of essential goods to __________ significantly over the past few months.
During the holiday season, there is a high __________ for toys and electronics in the retail market.
The town plans to __________ its anniversary with a parade and various cultural events.
The new environmental policies implemented by the government have __________ in reducing pollution levels significantly.