Government solution? Start a competition to find new ways to encourage young people to drink more. The “Sake Viva!” The campaign, overseen by the National Tax Service, invites participants to submit ideas on how to “stimulate youth demand” for alcohol through new services, promotional methods, products, designs and even sales techniques using artificial intelligence or the metaverse, official page of the contest. “The domestic spirits market is shrinking due to demographic changes such as declining birth rates and an aging population, and lifestyle changes due to the impact of Covid-19,” the website said, adding that the competition aimed “to attract the younger generation … and revitalize the industry.” The competition includes promotional ideas for all types of Japanese alcohol, with applications open until September 9. The finalists will be invited to an expert consultation in October, before a final tournament in November in Tokyo. The winner will receive support to commercialize their plan, according to the tax office. But not everyone is on the same page, with competition and the tax service coming under fire from some people online. “Are you kidding me?” one Twitter user wrote. “Staying away from alcohol is good!” Others pointed out that it seemed inappropriate for a government agency to encourage young people to drink, and the campaign appeared to have failed to take into account the health risks or sensitivity of people dealing with alcoholism. Japan’s health ministry has warned in the past about the dangers of drinking too much alcohol. In a post on her website last year, she called binge drinking “a major social problem” that remained despite a recent slowdown in consumption. And he urged people with unhealthy drinking habits to “reexamine” their relationship with alcohol. A ministry spokesman declined to comment on the tax agency’s rivalry when contacted by CNN.

Falling sales

Japan, along with many other Asian countries, maintained tough restrictions through much of the pandemic, closing public spaces and reducing restaurant hours.
Izakayas – Japan’s version of a pub or tavern – have been hit particularly hard, with the latest figures available showing sales halving from 2019 to 2020, according to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. With fewer opportunities to drink in public, the rate of “domestic consumption” — drinking alcohol at home — “increased significantly,” the ministry said. But young adults have stood out as an exception. About 30% of people between the ages of 40 and 60 drink regularly, meaning three days or more a week, the ministry said — compared to just 7.8% of people in their 20s. “In this way, the year-over-year decline in consumption habits is considered to have implications for the shrinking of the domestic market,” the ministry said. In a 2021 report, the tax office said duty on booze had been an important source of revenue for the government for centuries, but had declined in recent decades. Japan received 1.1 trillion yen ($8.1 billion) in alcohol tax in 2021 — 1.7 percent of total tax revenue, compared with 3 percent in 2011 and 5 percent in 1980. Japan lifted its state of emergency in October 2021, allowing restaurants to sell alcohol again and stay open later — but restrictions in some parts of the country remained in place until March this year. The country’s recovery since then has been slower than expected, hampered by rising inflation, the economic fallout from the war in Ukraine and recent spikes in Covid cases that have led to prolonged restrictions. CNN’s Kathleen Benoza contributed reporting.

title: “Japan Wants Young People To Drink More Alcohol. Just Not Sure How To Convince Them Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-12-13” author: “Arthur Guerrero”

Government solution? Start a competition to find new ways to encourage young people to drink more. The “Sake Viva!” The campaign, overseen by the National Tax Service, invites participants to submit ideas on how to “stimulate youth demand” for alcohol through new services, promotional methods, products, designs and even sales techniques using artificial intelligence or the metaverse, official page of the contest. “The domestic spirits market is shrinking due to demographic changes such as declining birth rates and an aging population, and lifestyle changes due to the impact of Covid-19,” the website said, adding that the competition aimed “to attract the younger generation … and revitalize the industry.” The competition includes promotional ideas for all types of Japanese alcohol, with applications open until September 9. The finalists will be invited to an expert consultation in October, before a final tournament in November in Tokyo. The winner will receive support to commercialize their plan, according to the tax office. But not everyone is on the same page, with competition and the tax service coming under fire from some people online. “Are you kidding me?” one Twitter user wrote. “Staying away from alcohol is good!” Others pointed out that it seemed inappropriate for a government agency to encourage young people to drink, and the campaign appeared to have failed to take into account the health risks or sensitivity of people dealing with alcoholism. Japan’s health ministry has warned in the past about the dangers of drinking too much alcohol. In a post on her website last year, she called binge drinking “a major social problem” that remained despite a recent slowdown in consumption. And he urged people with unhealthy drinking habits to “reexamine” their relationship with alcohol. A ministry spokesman declined to comment on the tax agency’s rivalry when contacted by CNN.

Falling sales

Japan, along with many other Asian countries, maintained tough restrictions through much of the pandemic, closing public spaces and reducing restaurant hours.
Izakayas – Japan’s version of a pub or tavern – have been hit particularly hard, with the latest figures available showing sales halving from 2019 to 2020, according to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. With fewer opportunities to drink in public, the rate of “domestic consumption” — drinking alcohol at home — “increased significantly,” the ministry said. But young adults have stood out as an exception. About 30% of people between the ages of 40 and 60 drink regularly, meaning three days or more a week, the ministry said — compared to just 7.8% of people in their 20s. “In this way, the year-over-year decline in consumption habits is considered to have implications for the shrinking of the domestic market,” the ministry said. In a 2021 report, the tax office said duty on booze had been an important source of revenue for the government for centuries, but had declined in recent decades. Japan received 1.1 trillion yen ($8.1 billion) in alcohol tax in 2021 — 1.7 percent of total tax revenue, compared with 3 percent in 2011 and 5 percent in 1980. Japan lifted its state of emergency in October 2021, allowing restaurants to sell alcohol again and stay open later — but restrictions in some parts of the country remained in place until March this year. The country’s recovery since then has been slower than expected, hampered by rising inflation, the economic fallout from the war in Ukraine and recent spikes in Covid cases that have led to prolonged restrictions. CNN’s Kathleen Benoza contributed reporting.

title: “Japan Wants Young People To Drink More Alcohol. Just Not Sure How To Convince Them Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-11-18” author: “Gayle Shiever”

Government solution? Start a competition to find new ways to encourage young people to drink more. The “Sake Viva!” The campaign, overseen by the National Tax Service, invites participants to submit ideas on how to “stimulate youth demand” for alcohol through new services, promotional methods, products, designs and even sales techniques using artificial intelligence or the metaverse, official page of the contest. “The domestic spirits market is shrinking due to demographic changes such as declining birth rates and an aging population, and lifestyle changes due to the impact of Covid-19,” the website said, adding that the competition aimed “to attract the younger generation … and revitalize the industry.” The competition includes promotional ideas for all types of Japanese alcohol, with applications open until September 9. The finalists will be invited to an expert consultation in October, before a final tournament in November in Tokyo. The winner will receive support to commercialize their plan, according to the tax office. But not everyone is on the same page, with competition and the tax service coming under fire from some people online. “Are you kidding me?” one Twitter user wrote. “Staying away from alcohol is good!” Others pointed out that it seemed inappropriate for a government agency to encourage young people to drink, and the campaign appeared to have failed to take into account the health risks or sensitivity of people dealing with alcoholism. Japan’s health ministry has warned in the past about the dangers of drinking too much alcohol. In a post on her website last year, she called binge drinking “a major social problem” that remained despite a recent slowdown in consumption. And he urged people with unhealthy drinking habits to “reexamine” their relationship with alcohol. A ministry spokesman declined to comment on the tax agency’s rivalry when contacted by CNN.

Falling sales

Japan, along with many other Asian countries, maintained tough restrictions through much of the pandemic, closing public spaces and reducing restaurant hours.
Izakayas – Japan’s version of a pub or tavern – have been hit particularly hard, with the latest figures available showing sales halving from 2019 to 2020, according to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. With fewer opportunities to drink in public, the rate of “domestic consumption” — drinking alcohol at home — “increased significantly,” the ministry said. But young adults have stood out as an exception. About 30% of people between the ages of 40 and 60 drink regularly, meaning three days or more a week, the ministry said — compared to just 7.8% of people in their 20s. “In this way, the year-over-year decline in consumption habits is considered to have implications for the shrinking of the domestic market,” the ministry said. In a 2021 report, the tax office said duty on booze had been an important source of revenue for the government for centuries, but had declined in recent decades. Japan received 1.1 trillion yen ($8.1 billion) in alcohol tax in 2021 — 1.7 percent of total tax revenue, compared with 3 percent in 2011 and 5 percent in 1980. Japan lifted its state of emergency in October 2021, allowing restaurants to sell alcohol again and stay open later — but restrictions in some parts of the country remained in place until March this year. The country’s recovery since then has been slower than expected, hampered by rising inflation, the economic fallout from the war in Ukraine and recent spikes in Covid cases that have led to prolonged restrictions. CNN’s Kathleen Benoza contributed reporting.

title: “Japan Wants Young People To Drink More Alcohol. Just Not Sure How To Convince Them Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-12-06” author: “Lisa Perrier”

Government solution? Start a competition to find new ways to encourage young people to drink more. The “Sake Viva!” The campaign, overseen by the National Tax Service, invites participants to submit ideas on how to “stimulate youth demand” for alcohol through new services, promotional methods, products, designs and even sales techniques using artificial intelligence or the metaverse, official page of the contest. “The domestic spirits market is shrinking due to demographic changes such as declining birth rates and an aging population, and lifestyle changes due to the impact of Covid-19,” the website said, adding that the competition aimed “to attract the younger generation … and revitalize the industry.” The competition includes promotional ideas for all types of Japanese alcohol, with applications open until September 9. The finalists will be invited to an expert consultation in October, before a final tournament in November in Tokyo. The winner will receive support to commercialize their plan, according to the tax office. But not everyone is on the same page, with competition and the tax service coming under fire from some people online. “Are you kidding me?” one Twitter user wrote. “Staying away from alcohol is good!” Others pointed out that it seemed inappropriate for a government agency to encourage young people to drink, and the campaign appeared to have failed to take into account the health risks or sensitivity of people dealing with alcoholism. Japan’s health ministry has warned in the past about the dangers of drinking too much alcohol. In a post on her website last year, she called binge drinking “a major social problem” that remained despite a recent slowdown in consumption. And he urged people with unhealthy drinking habits to “reexamine” their relationship with alcohol. A ministry spokesman declined to comment on the tax agency’s rivalry when contacted by CNN.

Falling sales

Japan, along with many other Asian countries, maintained tough restrictions through much of the pandemic, closing public spaces and reducing restaurant hours.
Izakayas – Japan’s version of a pub or tavern – have been hit particularly hard, with the latest figures available showing sales halving from 2019 to 2020, according to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. With fewer opportunities to drink in public, the rate of “domestic consumption” — drinking alcohol at home — “increased significantly,” the ministry said. But young adults have stood out as an exception. About 30% of people between the ages of 40 and 60 drink regularly, meaning three days or more a week, the ministry said — compared to just 7.8% of people in their 20s. “In this way, the year-over-year decline in consumption habits is considered to have implications for the shrinking of the domestic market,” the ministry said. In a 2021 report, the tax office said duty on booze had been an important source of revenue for the government for centuries, but had declined in recent decades. Japan received 1.1 trillion yen ($8.1 billion) in alcohol tax in 2021 — 1.7 percent of total tax revenue, compared with 3 percent in 2011 and 5 percent in 1980. Japan lifted its state of emergency in October 2021, allowing restaurants to sell alcohol again and stay open later — but restrictions in some parts of the country remained in place until March this year. The country’s recovery since then has been slower than expected, hampered by rising inflation, the economic fallout from the war in Ukraine and recent spikes in Covid cases that have led to prolonged restrictions. CNN’s Kathleen Benoza contributed reporting.

title: “Japan Wants Young People To Drink More Alcohol. Just Not Sure How To Convince Them Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-11-15” author: “Harry Otto”

Government solution? Start a competition to find new ways to encourage young people to drink more. The “Sake Viva!” The campaign, overseen by the National Tax Service, invites participants to submit ideas on how to “stimulate youth demand” for alcohol through new services, promotional methods, products, designs and even sales techniques using artificial intelligence or the metaverse, official page of the contest. “The domestic spirits market is shrinking due to demographic changes such as declining birth rates and an aging population, and lifestyle changes due to the impact of Covid-19,” the website said, adding that the competition aimed “to attract the younger generation … and revitalize the industry.” The competition includes promotional ideas for all types of Japanese alcohol, with applications open until September 9. The finalists will be invited to an expert consultation in October, before a final tournament in November in Tokyo. The winner will receive support to commercialize their plan, according to the tax office. But not everyone is on the same page, with competition and the tax service coming under fire from some people online. “Are you kidding me?” one Twitter user wrote. “Staying away from alcohol is good!” Others pointed out that it seemed inappropriate for a government agency to encourage young people to drink, and the campaign appeared to have failed to take into account the health risks or sensitivity of people dealing with alcoholism. Japan’s health ministry has warned in the past about the dangers of drinking too much alcohol. In a post on her website last year, she called binge drinking “a major social problem” that remained despite a recent slowdown in consumption. And he urged people with unhealthy drinking habits to “reexamine” their relationship with alcohol. A ministry spokesman declined to comment on the tax agency’s rivalry when contacted by CNN.

Falling sales

Japan, along with many other Asian countries, maintained tough restrictions through much of the pandemic, closing public spaces and reducing restaurant hours.
Izakayas – Japan’s version of a pub or tavern – have been hit particularly hard, with the latest figures available showing sales halving from 2019 to 2020, according to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. With fewer opportunities to drink in public, the rate of “domestic consumption” — drinking alcohol at home — “increased significantly,” the ministry said. But young adults have stood out as an exception. About 30% of people between the ages of 40 and 60 drink regularly, meaning three days or more a week, the ministry said — compared to just 7.8% of people in their 20s. “In this way, the year-over-year decline in consumption habits is considered to have implications for the shrinking of the domestic market,” the ministry said. In a 2021 report, the tax office said duty on booze had been an important source of revenue for the government for centuries, but had declined in recent decades. Japan received 1.1 trillion yen ($8.1 billion) in alcohol tax in 2021 — 1.7 percent of total tax revenue, compared with 3 percent in 2011 and 5 percent in 1980. Japan lifted its state of emergency in October 2021, allowing restaurants to sell alcohol again and stay open later — but restrictions in some parts of the country remained in place until March this year. The country’s recovery since then has been slower than expected, hampered by rising inflation, the economic fallout from the war in Ukraine and recent spikes in Covid cases that have led to prolonged restrictions. CNN’s Kathleen Benoza contributed reporting.