Kishida Yuko of Japan for an official visit to the United States.

The clear distinction was very much needed to define and to independently categorize these two very different products among the professional liquor industry.(GWEN MURANAKA/Rafu Shimpo)RAFU STAFF AND WIRE REPORTSCalifornia recently adopted a new law that officially recognizes Japanese shochu and allows restaurants with a license to sell wine to also sell shochu.

Japanese shochu could be sold in California restaurants with a wine sales license only if it was labeled as soju.AB 416 now permits Japanese shochu distillers to properly label their product as ‘Shochu.This new law recognizes the unique cultural heritage of both Japanese shochu and Korean soju.

and many other Japanese import/export companies and restaurants.Newsom for signing the bill into law.

this was cause for much confusion among restaurateurs and consumers.

said Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance).All donations received will be sent to the Ishikawa Prefectural Government Office for the disaster area.

more than 200 people have lost their precious lives.In addition to praying for the souls of those who have passed away

He was recognized with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.he was the chair of the Board of Trustees from 2015 until his passing in May 2022.