Japan Registers "Japanese Tea" Under GI System to Combat Counterfeits

Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has registered "Japanese tea" under the country's Geographical Indication (GI) protection system as part of efforts to combat counterfeit agricultural products overseas, according to Mainichi Japan.

The registration aims to distinguish authentic Japanese tea from imitation products as global demand for green tea continues to grow.

Products registered under the GI system may display an official certification mark, while the government is authorized to take action against false labeling and other unauthorized uses.

The new designation applies broadly to all green tea cultivated and processed in Japan.

Unlike most GI registrations, which protect products associated with specific geographic regions, the designation for Japanese tea covers the entire country. The only similar nationwide designation is "Japanese sake," which is administered separately by the National Tax Agency.

The ministry said the registration aims to distinguish authentic Japanese tea from imitation products as global demand for green tea continues to grow.

The application was submitted last October by the Japan Tea Central Public Interest Incorporated Association. Also receiving new GI registrations were Lake Hamanako Japanese eel from Shizuoka Prefecture and Kaga lotus root from Ishikawa Prefecture.