Conferment of the Foreign Minister’s Commendation to the Sake Institute of Ontario (SIO)

On January 30 a conferment ceremony was held for the Sake Institute of Ontario (SIO), which is a not-for-profit trade organization and received the Foreign Minister’s Commendation of 2024, at the official residence of the Consul-General of Japan in Toronto. The Sake Institute of Ontario was awarded the Minister’s Commendation for its outstanding achievements in promoting sake and increasing the availability of sake in restaurants and LCBOs across the province. The ceremony honoured the institute’s contributions to the education and accessibility of Japanese sake in Canada, and the strengthening of the friendship between Japan and Canada.
Founded in 2012, the Sake Institute of Ontario was initially formed by local sake distributors and makers to host Kampai Toronto in the distillery district of downtown Toronto. Kampai Toronto brings together connoisseurs, restaurateurs, distributors, LCBO agents, and sake makers from Japan, and has become a major annual event in the local food and beverage industry. The SIO has also supported many other events like Washoku Matsuri, a celebration of Japanese cuisine, and Next Stop: Japan, a replication of the Japanese train station experience at Union Station. Outside of events, the SIO has tirelessly engaged with the LCBO. 

Click here to read the Consul General's s congratulatory remarks.