By The Japan Times,Web Master

Copyright japantimes

NEW DELHI – A Japanese woman is working tirelessly to promote sake in India, carefully selecting brands and selling them to local vendors and restaurants with the aim of spreading their appeal.Maaya Takaoka, 37, from the town of Oyamazaki in Kyoto Prefecture, has been active in the sake export business. While at university, she first pursued a career as a pop idol. After working at a major e-commerce company, she obtained ‘kikizakeshi’ certification, or a sommelier qualification specializing in sake, at a friend’s recommendation.She said although she took the qualification at a whim, she became captivated by sake when she visited a brewery and watched craftsmen create sake as if they were caring for their own children.