Japan Registers 'Japanese Tea' Under GI System to Combat Imitations

Japan has taken a significant step to protect its globally recognized "Japanese tea" by registering it under its geographical indication (GI) protection system. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries announced on July 10 that this new designation aims to safeguard the brand against a growing wave of imitation products circulating internationally.

Unlike typical GIs that are tied to specific regions, the "Japanese tea" designation is unusually broad, applying to all green tea cultivated and processed within the country. The only other similar case in Japan is "Japanese sake." This initiative seeks to clearly differentiate authentic Japanese tea from imitations, thereby increasing its perceived value and strengthening its market position. The GI application was filed in October 2025 by the Japan Tea Central Public Interest Incorporated Association, driven by concerns over unauthorized brand usage.

Farm Minister Norikazu Suzuki expressed optimism about the registration's impact, stating his expectation that it will "help promote the brand power of Japanese tea as a whole, strengthen measures against imitation products and further boost our robust exports." This move is particularly timely given the increasing international popularity of green tea.

In addition to "Japanese tea," two other products have been newly registered: "Lake Hamanako Japanese eel" from Shizuoka Prefecture and "Kaga lotus root" from Ishikawa Prefecture. Since its inception in 2015, Japan's GI system for agricultural and fishery products has now registered a total of 170 products. Japan also maintains mutual protection arrangements with the European Union and Britain, further solidifying the international credibility of its GI-designated products.

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help promote the brand power of Japanese tea as a whole, strengthen measures against imitation products and further boost our robust exports