Latest news with #Karuizawa
Japan Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Japan Times
Stay or go? Key events give Ishiba time to ponder his future.
Will he stay or go? For Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, a number of key political events in the coming weeks are expected to affect the timing of any decision to quit or remain in his post. Ishiba has reiterated his intention to stay in office — in defiance of growing calls for him to step down from within his Liberal Democratic Party after the party's poor showing in the Upper House election this month. "I'll manage the nation with my utmost sense of alarm and responsibility to leave a better Japan for the next era," Ishiba said in a speech in the resort town of Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture, on Friday. Earlier that day, Ishiba reportedly told a meeting of ruling and opposition party leaders that he had no plans to resign. But the prime minister could face direct calls for to step down at a meeting of LDP lawmakers from both chambers of parliament that is scheduled for Monday. Separately, middle-ranking and younger LDP members are seeking to hold a general meeting of party lawmakers to take responsibility for the Upper House election results, effectively urging Ishiba and party executives to resign. On Friday, they said they had collected signatures from one-third of the party's lawmakers, the minimum required to hold such a meeting. Meanwhile, an extraordinary session of parliament will begin next Friday, with intensive discussions set to be held on the recent Japan-United States tariff agreement. With the country set to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II on Aug. 15, early media reports suggest Ishiba will issue a message in a personal capacity to mark the event, instead of an official statement formally rubber-stamped by the Cabinet. He is also said to be keen on attending as a sitting prime minister the annual peace ceremonies on Aug. 6 and 9 to mark the anniversaries of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, respectively. In addition, Ishiba has emphasized the importance of an international conference on African development in Yokohama from Aug. 20 to 22. Some in the party appear willing to tolerate Ishiba remaining in office until the conference concludes. Many in the LDP believe Ishiba will step down after the party conducts a review of the Upper House election in August. On Friday, its Youth Division submitted a written request to the party leadership, urging them to resign after the review. "The prime minister is expected to step down after the review," a senior party member said. However, whether this scenario will be realized remains to be seen. On social media, an increasing number of posts have encouraged Ishiba to stay on. "The prime minister is extremely motivated," one veteran LDP member who recently met with Ishiba said. "Public opinion will also influence his decision on whether to step down."
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
A List Development, a member of the comprehensive real estate company List Group, announces a new hotel resort project under the luxury hotel brand "Anantara", marking the brand's first entry into Japan
TOKYO, July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- List Co., Ltd. (Representative Director and President: Naoyuki Kitami; Headquarters: Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture), a comprehensive real estate company, announces that its consolidated subsidiary, List Development Co., Ltd. (Representative Director and President: Hiroyuki Kiuchi; Headquarters: Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture; hereinafter "LD"), has entered into a hotel management agreement with Royal Minor Hotels Co., Ltd. (Representative Director and President: Kohei Motoyama; Headquarters: Setagaya-ku, Tokyo; hereinafter "Royal Minor Hotels") on July 10, 2025. At the signing event held on the same day at the Tokyo American Club, the two parties announced plans for a new luxury resort hotel under the "Anantara" brand — marking the brand's first entry into Japan. The property, to be named Anantara Karuizawa Retreat (hereinafter "the Property"), is scheduled to open in 2030 in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture. Nestled in approximately 10 acres (approximately 40,000 square meters) of forestland with views of Mount Asama, the resort will feature a total of 51 guest accommodations, including suites and villas, and will be developed as a premium luxury retreat. As a comprehensive developer that plans, develops, and produces high-quality residences and communities, List Development is engaged in a wide range of projects, including its proprietary condominium brand "List Residence" series, primarily in the Tokyo metropolitan area, as well as the development of office buildings, vacation homes, and resort properties. In recent years, the company has focused on the development of hotel condominiums and luxury residences. In December 2024, List Development completed a hotel condominium project in Hakuba Village, Nagano Prefecture. The current project marks List Development's first venture into hotel resort development. Anantara Karuizawa Retreat will harness the region's year-round natural beauty and connectivity to offer travellers nature-led escapes. The property's strategic location near the Karuizawa Hokuriku Shinkansen (bullet train) Station provides convenient access from Tokyo, which is just over an hour away by train, as well as from nearby cities such as Nagano, Kanazawa and Maebashi. Karuizawa is a favoured weekend escape getaway, renowned for its cool climate in the summer and abundant year-round outdoor attractions, including the Karuizawa Kazakoshi Park, golf courses, forests, hiking trails, hot springs and skiing. The destination's international appeal is on the rise, especially among Asian travellers, and it is within two to three hours by train from Tokyo's Haneda and Narita international airports. Anantara Karuizawa Retreat will provide its guests with highly personalised service and exclusive accommodations, offering 23 suites measuring 60 to 120 sqm and 18 luxury two- and three-bedroom villas, which are being considered for future branded residence offerings, with further details to be announced as plans progress, ranging in size from 70 to 270 sqm. The villas will provide an additional 28 keys to the hotel's inventory, with select two-bedroom villas available as 70 sqm standard and 130 sqm one-bedroom villas, bringing the total key count to 51. Guests will enjoy three on-site food and beverage outlets, including an all-day dining restaurant, a specialty concept and a bar. Wellness will be a fundamental part of the resort's offering, centred around an Anantara Spa and onsen, and with additional wellness programming across the property. Other leisure facilities will include a swimming pool, fitness centre, library and resident's lounge. Additionally, the property will offer flexible meeting facilities to meet the growing demand for corporate gatherings in the region. The design of Anantara Karuizawa is anticipated to blend modern design with the site's natural surroundings, utilising natural materials such as exposed timber peaks and large windows to create harmony with the environment and offer sweeping views of Mount Asama. Kohei Motoyama, President and CEO, Royal Minor Hotels Co., Ltd., commented:"We are extremely proud to partner with List Development Co., Ltd. for the launch of the Anantara Karuizawa Retreat. The company brings exceptional expertise in creating luxury properties, aligning perfectly with Anantara's philosophy of offering refined stays and distinctive design. Together, we aim to create a retreat that coexists harmoniously with Karuizawa's rich natural surroundings and further enhances its unique appeal." Hiroyuki Kiuchi, President and COO, List Development Co., Ltd., commented:"We are truly honoured to bring the renowned luxury hotel brand Anantara to Japan for the first time through this landmark project in partnership with Royal Minor. We have long been committed to enriching people's lifestyles by creating high-quality homes and communities. In recent years, we have extended this philosophy to hotel condominiums and luxury residences, applying the know-how we have cultivated over time. It is within this context that our vision has aligned with that of Royal Minor, resulting in the signing of this hotel management agreement. Karuizawa is one of Japan's premier resort destinations, offering excellent access from the Tokyo metropolitan area as well as rich natural surroundings and beautiful seasonal landscapes. We were particularly drawn to its global recognition and the growing demand among affluent travellers seeking high-quality experiences. The site also enjoys a rare vantage point overlooking Mount Asama, a symbol of Karuizawa, and we are confident that introducing the "Anantara" brand to this location will enable us to provide a truly luxurious experience that fully satisfies both the mind and body of our guests, from both Japan and abroad. We are committed to dedicating our full efforts to ensure that this "Anantara Karuizawa Retreat" becomes a new landmark in Karuizawa and contributes to the revitalization of the local economy." Project OutlineLocation: Happa, Karuizawa-machi, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano PrefectureAccess: Approximately 15 minutes by car from "Karuizawa" Station on the Hokuriku Shinkansen LineDevelopment Area: 41,933.01 sqmOpening: 2030Number of Guest Rooms: 23 Suites (approx. 60-120 sqm), 18 Villas with 28 rooms (approx. 70-270 sqm) This project is currently awaiting building permit application. The content described in this press release may change in the future. Details on facilities and sales information will be announced again once finalized. About Anantara HotelsAnantara Hotels & Resorts are designed to maximize the unique charm of each destination within a luxurious setting, allowing travelers to experience the true essence of the locale through the brand's attentive and personalized service. The brand has established a strong presence in Thailand, throughout Asia, the Middle East, the Indian Ocean, and Africa, and has recently expanded into major European capitals, gaining broader global recognition. Anantara currently operates 59 hotels across 25 countries. About Minor HotelsMinor Hotels is a global leader in the hospitality industry with over 560 hotels, resorts and branded residences across 57 countries. The group crafts innovative and insightful experiences through its hotel brands including Anantara, Elewana Collection, The Wolseley Hotels, Tivoli, Minor Reserve Collection, NH Collection, nhow, Avani, Colbert Collection, NH, Oaks, and iStay, as well as a diverse portfolio of restaurants and bars, travel experiences, and spa and wellness brands. With over four decades of expertise, Minor Hotels builds stronger brands, fosters lasting partnerships, and drives business success by always focusing on what matters most to our guests, team members and partners. Minor Hotels is a proud member of the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) and recognises its guests through one unified loyalty programme, Minor DISCOVERY, part of GHA DISCOVERY. Discover our world at and connect with Minor Hotels on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. About Royal Minor Hotels Co., 1-34-6 Sakurashinmachi, Setagaya-ku, TokyoRepresentatives: Kohei Motoyama, President & CEO; Dilip Rajakariar, Representative Director & Vice PresidentEstablished: March 31, 2025Business Overview: Hotel management and operationURL: About List Development Co., 4-47 Onoe-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa PrefectureRepresentative: Hiroyuki Kiuchi, President & CEOEstablished: May 10, 1991Business Overview: Planning, development, and sale of condominiums, detached houses, office buildings, and tenant buildings; Consulting on real estate sales, brokerage, and asset management; Real estate property managementURL: About List Co., 3-35 LIST EAST BLD., Onoe-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa PrefectureRepresentative: Hisashi Kitami, President & CEOFounded: May 10, 1991Established: May 20, 2016Consolidated Sales: ¥56.2 billion (Fiscal Year ending December 2024)Business Overview: Holding company, Group managementURL: In 1991, List Co., Ltd. was established as a real estate brokerage company. Since then, the company has consistently engaged in real estate-related businesses, including the development and sale of detached houses and condominiums, asset management, and urban redevelopment projects. In 2016, the company reorganized its group structure and transitioned to a holding company system, establishing the "List Group" with List Co., Ltd. at its core. In 2010, List International Realty Co., Ltd. acquired the exclusive domestic rights to operate the real estate brokerage brand "Sotheby's International Realty®," which originates from one of the world's largest auction houses, Sotheby's. Under the brand name "List Sotheby's International Realty," the company has since expanded its real estate brokerage and development operations to locations including Hawaii, Singapore, Hong Kong SAR, and Thailand. Through these businesses, the List Group remains committed to providing clients with "valuable real estate" around the world. All other images (4pcs) – can be directly downloaded from the link below, please ensure to clearly credit the source when using these URL: available until August 10,2025 Media ContactList Group Public Relations & IR Department: Yukari Tajiri & Mayu NishimotoTEL: 03-6457-9401MAIL: pr@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE List Co., Ltd. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Japan Times
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Japan Times
Between reality and fiction: A summer's day in Karuizawa with Minae Mizumura
Every summer, I find myself escaping into the pages of a certain novel like clockwork: Minae Mizumura's 'A True Novel.' Its evocative, heady depiction of the summer resort town of Karuizawa in Nagano Prefecture, more of a supporting character than a mere backdrop for the human drama that unfolds, draws me in to almost forget, for a moment, the relentless humidity of a Tokyo summer — as if I, too, am cooling off under the shaded mountain roads of the summer resort town. It is difficult to summarize 'A True Novel,' published in 2002. At its heart, it is a love story that delves into the transformations Japanese society undergoes in the postwar era, centering on the shifting fate of one affluent family and those around them that get caught up in the tide. I have to confess that, much like one of the book's narrators, I have struggled to shake off the story and have found myself, more than once, visiting Karuizawa to attempt to retrace the characters' steps, wondering if I might come across the two dilapidated Western-style summer houses whose images remain etched in my mind as if they were a specter of the town's true past. "A True Novel" by Minae Mizumura Going to Karuizawa, you can't help but wonder if you will stumble upon a version of the town as it has been mythologized on the page by any number of Japanese writers. Throughout its history, it has attracted greats such as Natsume Soseki, Ryunosuke Akutagawa and Yasunari Kawabata, all of whom were known to spend their summers in the area. Beyond how it is depicted in fiction, it is the real-life Karuizawa — its history and present — that has the power to elicit an inherited nostalgia among its visitors. For one summer afternoon here, I sat with Mizumura, 74, to discuss the significance and draw of the area for her in both her fiction and in her reality, as the place where she pursues her craft. Writing in Japanese For those unfamiliar with Mizumura or her work, she describes herself as 'a Japanese writer who grew up in America from the age of 12, received education in the States, came back (to Japan) and is writing in Japanese.' There is something deceptively simple in the way she represents herself but beyond its surface lies a central truth to her writing career that begins with her return to and reckoning with Japan. Mizumura's choice to write in Japanese, despite being educated in English, was fueled by a certain appreciation for the language. She explains that she has 'always been interested in reading and writing in Japanese.' Being familiar with multiple languages — she also studied French literature at Yale for her graduate studies — means that she is always highly aware of the specific experience of the language she is working in, describing herself as 'a very conscious writer.' However, her focus as a writer in Japanese is not limited to language but also speaks to both a deep appreciation for the Japanese literary canon and a longing for the country of her birth throughout her time in the U.S. (It was reading Japanese literature during this period that kept her linguistically and culturally connected to Japan.) From the critical reception of her debut novel, a reimagining of Soseki's final work titled 'Light and Darkness Continued' (1990), and her bilingual exploration of a Japanese literary genre titled 'An I-Novel from Left to Right' (1995) to her critical nonfiction work 'The Fall of Language in the Age of English' (2008), Mizumura's contributions to Japanese literary canon have always served as both careful reflection and a kind of intervention. Minae Mizumura works at her desk at her cottage in Karuizawa, a popular summer retreat for Japanese writers. | TOYOTA HORIGUCHI It was during her research on literary theorist Paul de Man at Yale that Mizumura arrived at the principle that drives her entire oeuvre: Literature always comes from the text — or more specifically, from other texts. Intertextuality, and the way different texts relate and speak to one another, is apparent in her work not only in how her novels speak to other writers' work but also to each other. It might not be wrong to think of Karuizawa as a kind of 'text,' caught in a kind of intertextual play: repeatedly evoked by writers, constantly reshaped and reinterpreted, and imbued with layers of shifting meaning. On writing Karuizawa In his 1986 book 'My Life Between Japan and America,' the diplomat and educator Edwin O. Reischauer wrote: 'Summers in Karuizawa were not just a break in the year but seemed a whole lifetime in themselves.' Once a post town on the historic Nakasendo trail, Karuizawa was first popularized as a summer resort town during the Meiji Era (1868-1912) by visiting missionaries and diplomats. It soon developed into an international community that also attracted Japanese elites and intellectuals. The area became synonymous with a certain kind of aspirational, Westernized, upper-class lifestyle. Famously, the imperial family would spend their summers in the area, and the exclusive tennis courts here are where Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko are said to have first met. The area is now a popular tourist destination, with visitors drawn to its Western atmosphere — a reflection of the mixture of cultures that created the Karuizawa of today. These exclusive tennis courts are where Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko are reported to have originally met. | HANAKO LOWRY In Mizumura's work, the town plays the central locale in 'A True Novel,' a retelling of Emily Bronte's 'Wuthering Heights' set in postwar Japan. She returns to the setting for her most recent novel, 'The Ambassador and His Wife,' which was published last year but has yet to be translated into English. It was through other writers' depictions that Mizumura first encountered Karuizawa, but it was some time before she actually spent any amount of significant time here. After teaching at Princeton, she developed a habit of taking long walks and upon returning to Japan sought a place to continue the practice. She found what she wanted in Karuizawa. This was more than 35 years ago, and she now splits her time between Tokyo and here. 'Where a writer works is very important ... the ability to be able to distance yourself,' she explains. 'Of course it's not a luxury every writer can afford but... a lot of writers do similarly have this need to get away from everyday life. 'There are many writers who came here before me and wrote their works here. There is this evocative, abstract, almost spiritual element (to Karuizawa). And there is also nature to lift your spirits.' Minae Mizumura says of Karuizawa, 'This area has a special history, and when you touch on that history, you touch on a very critical history between Japan and the West." | TOYOTA HORIGUCHI The cottage we're now sitting in became, to quote the title of Virginia Woolf's famous essay, Mizumura's very own 'room of one's own' and is where she has written many of her works. Karuizawa also became a vantage point from which to gain distance from her busy life in Tokyo and holds a valuable perspective when it comes to the themes of her work. 'This area has a special history, and when you touch on that history, you touch on a very critical history between Japan and the West,' she says. 'You can talk of Japan's recent history from Karuizawa.' It was because of this history that Mizumura chose Karuizawa as one of the key settings for 'A True Novel.' The fictional author-like figure in the narrative frame describes how she encountered a story that resembled 'Wuthering Heights' and recognized it as having the makings of a different novel. Similarly, when Mizumura herself considered how she could even approach writing a love story comparable to Bronte's classic but rooted in Japan, a 'true novel' in Japanese — the answer lay in Karuizawa. 'Here you could talk about love in the Western sense,' she says. 'What might seem foreign can happen here.' Visitors walk around Kumoba Pond in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture. The pond is referenced in Minae Mizumura's 'A True Novel.' | HANAKO LOWRY She explains that 'Wuthering Heights' and other 19th-century novels were what Japanese writers would have encountered as Western literature following the Meiji Restoration of 1868. Inspired by the notions of romantic love found in their pages, writers, artists and intellectuals were then naturally drawn to Karuizawa — a place that seemed imbued with the same qualities. Whether this was the product of their projected fantasies or inherently true to the area is perhaps now hard to distinguish — where fact and fiction begins becomes difficult to define when it comes to Karuizawa. Mizumura's own novel features numerous locations in the town, from the bar at the historic Mampei Hotel to the scenic Kumoba Pond. This was a very deliberate decision: She wanted the novel, despite its 'far-fetched' premise, to feel rooted in concrete reality. To heighten that sense, photographs of the locations — taken one summer by Toyota Horiguchi, a former Kyoto City University of Arts professor whom Mizumura met at Yale — are scattered throughout. These images, taken almost as evidence for the novel's 'real' unreality, depict the changing face of Karuizawa. Among them are shots of summer houses, nestled in leafy, secluded plots, that hint at the bygone summers of their former inhabitants. Driving through the town's backstreets, in an attempt to trace the locations photographed for the novel, it becomes clear that many of the houses Horiguchi captured have seemingly disappeared. On writing Japan Mizumura took a 12-year break between her last novel and 'The Ambassador and His Wife' due to what she describes as an intensive period of working with her translator, Juliet Winters Carpenter, on the English versions of her previous works. During that time, she often turned to rereading Junichiro Tanizaki and was struck by his later work, which also wrestles with the idea of a Japan that no longer exists. This led her to become fixated on one specific image: a woman dancing in the style of noh by the moonlight. She made it her goal to write the scene into reality. The answer, once again, lay in Karuizawa — a place where 'the mixture of the unbelievable and believable' is possible. And so, 'The Ambassador and His Wife' began to come into being. At around 750 meters long, the Old Karuizawa Ginza shopping street has numerous bakeries and gift shops as well as a tourist information center. | HANAKO LOWRY Mizumura draws upon current events, including the COVID-19 pandemic, to anchor the novel in the present. Interestingly, she explores the meaning of an 'authentic' Japan through the perspective of an American man who has lived in the country for decades — a point of view she says she had long wanted to write from. The character also resembles what she calls her ideal reader: someone familiar with both Japanese literature and the world outside of Japan. Perhaps that reader also mirrors the author herself: Mizumura writes in a way that speaks to a certain kind of diasporic subjectivity — someone within and without the world they half-inhabit. It's a mindset always half-longing for a Japan that exists in memory alone. She recalls someone from her time in the U.S. that told her this longing for Japan reminded them of the Nikkei community in Brazil, whose reality Mizumura explores in the novel. Thus from Karuizawa, the perspective of an American Japanophile and the Nikkei community, Mizumura's writing continues to explore representations of Japan in various forms, crafting an intimate, prismatic vision that is informed by that inherited nostalgia and which you can't help but think to attribute, in part, to her own writing career rather than began with her 'coming back' to Japan. On writing a life Mizumura's original decision to write in Japanese rather than English was a commitment to write without first catering to global audiences. Still, her work, like that of many contemporary Japanese writers, has reached readers abroad by way of translation. Compared to her views in 'The Fall of Language in the Age of English,' she says she now feels more optimistic about the future of Japanese literature. 'I wrote 'The Fall of Language' thinking that it would only reach a very small audience,' Mizumura says. 'All I want now is for some Japanese writers to write without being interested in being translatable.' As for the 'lost' Japan imagined by the American protagonist in her latest novel, Mizumura says she is more accepting of how Japan is changing now than when she first returned from the U.S. Still, she hopes more government funding will be used to 'preserve that knowledge' of traditional Japanese culture and art forms for future generations. "There are many writers who came here before me and wrote their works here," says Minae Mizumura. "There is this evocative, abstract, almost spiritual element (to Karuizawa). And there is also nature to lift your spirits." | TOYOTA HORIGUCHI Though she considers her latest novel to be her final work of fiction, Mizumura says she is now focusing more on the act of writing memoirs — a natural shift in Japanese literary tradition, she notes, for writers who reach a certain stage. She shows me family artifacts and carefully archived memorabilia in preparation for her next project. In part, this shift is well-timed. With the rise of generative AI, lived experience is something machines cannot replicate. 'There is a kind of appreciation of art forms that can only come with age (in Japan),' she says, citing traditional dance and noh. 'That is something AI can't replicate.' The sun's position in the sky has slowly shifted throughout the course of our conversation and the evening's light has begun to color the living room in shades of twilight. 'I am sure AI will write wonderful stories in the future,' Mizumura says, pausing a moment before continuing. 'I am glad I am shifting to memoir and writing my life's stories as AI cannot write them with the same humanity.'
NHK
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- NHK
Museum to open showcasing Japanese TV presenter Kuroyanagi Tetsuko's collection
A museum exhibiting costumes worn and items collected by famous Japanese actor and TV presenter Kuroyanagi Tetsuko is set to open in the central Japanese resort town of Karuizawa on Saturday. The design of the museum building in Nagano Prefecture was inspired by her trademark onion-shaped hairstyle and includes an observation deck. About 320 of her former belongings will be on display. In a preview held on Friday, items on display included a dress designed by the late Mori Hanae, a renowned Japanese fashion designer, as well as a kimono and artworks from both Japan and abroad. Visitors can also view a portrait of Kuroyanagi in her 20s. The foundation that operates the museum said it took about seven years to bring the project to life, honoring Kuroyanagi's wish to preserve her collection for future generations. Around 2,000 items she donated to the foundation will be exhibited on a rotating basis. Kuroyanagi told reporters that she has been visiting Karuizawa since she was a child, so it feels nostalgic. She described her childhood as a period when beautiful or novel things were not available. She said collecting and treasuring things can only be done in times of peace, adding that she hopes that the visitors will appreciate the beauty of the items on display.
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Fledgling Karuizawa Distillers sets out stall ahead of whisky launch
Japanese single malt whisky maker Karuizawa Distillers has outlined its target markets for its first products when they go on sale next year. Speaking to Just Drinks, CEO Koji Shimaoka said the group would likely 'target three regions' – Asia-Pacific, North America and the EU. Karuizawa began distilling at its Komoro Distillery in the foothills of the Mount Asama volcano in central Japan in 2023. Its first batches of whisky will be available from this location next year. Shimaoka said he expected Asia-Pacific to be Karuizawa's largest market, with the company focusing on Taiwan, Hong Kong and mainland China. The group also plans to set up a 'global sales hub' in Singapore, to manage its global distribution. As part of Karuizawa's strategy, the company is looking to sell directly to consumers, as well as through "premium channels", such as department stores, hotels and "maybe" travel retail, Shimaoka said. He also expects the US to be an important region for the business. 'Last year, we went to America to participate the whisky show in New York. I can feel the US consumer just really eagerly waiting for our whiskies.' Karuizawa has distribution partners in place for Japan when it brings its first single malt to market in 2026. It also has distributors for the US, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong and mainland China. In the US, Shimaoka said Karuizawa intended to target the East and West Coast regions as well as further south, such as Texas or Florida and Chicago in the Midwest. Founded in 2019, Shimaoka is the majority shareholder in Karuizawa, alongside Ian Chang, the group's master distiller. Last week, Karuizawa announced plans to build its second distillery, called Furaliss. The site will be based in Furano, a city on one of Japan's northern main islands Hokkaido. The Furaliss location is slated to open in 2028 and is being built together with local conglomerate Seibu Group and the city of Furano. When Karuizawa's products hit the market, they will be priced in the $80-$150 range, Shimaoka said, which means the business is unlikely to see 'as much of an impact' from tariffs when it enters the US. 'It's still okay, because… we are targeting their premium segment, which is more resilient than the low-end priced products.' The company also has a short- and long-term strategy in terms of volumes, Shimaoka said. In roughly six years' time, Karuizawa is looking to produce 100,000 nine-litre cases of whisky. 'Maybe in ten years' time my plan is to take [it] up to 1 million nine-litre cases," said Shimaoka. "I know that's a big challenge but it's doable if we can keep working hard.' In the future, the business would also like to have another two distilleries in Japan, though 'nothing has been set in stone'. Shimaoka also pointed to wanting to acquire 'one or two distilleries in Scotland', though this was not being assessed at the moment. "Fledgling Karuizawa Distillers sets out stall ahead of whisky launch" was originally created and published by Just Drinks, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
