JAPAN: SAKE (ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE) The following notification is being circulated in accordance with Article 10.6. G/TBT/Notif. 96.219. 1. Member to Agreement notifying: JAPAN. If applicable, name of local government involved (Articles 3.2 and 7.2): 2. Agency responsible: National Tax Administration Agency or authority designated to handle comments regarding the notification can be indicated if different from above: 3. Notified under Article 2.9.2. 4. Products covered (HS or CCCN where applicable, otherwise national tariff heading. ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable): State (alcoholic beverage) (HS:2206.00) 5. Title, number of pages and language(s) of the notified document: Establishment of Labeling Standards Concerning Manufacturing Process and Quality of Sake, 4 pages, available in Japanese. 6. Description of content: To establish labelling standard concerning manufacturing process and quality of sake (ex. brewing methods and quality conditions for sake using special names such as ``ginjo-shu'', ``jumai-shu'' and ``honjozo-shu''). 7. Objective and rationale: Protection of consumers' interests. 8. Relevant documents: The basic law is the Special Measures Law Concerning the Stability of the Sake Brewing and Related Industries. The said amendment will appear in ``KAMPO'' (Official Government Gazette) when adopted. 9. Proposed date of adoption: Proposed date of entry into force: Not yet determined. 10. Final date for comments: 24 September 1996. (211)

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