This meeting was a continuation of the visit Jean-Marie Aurand made to Japan last September.

On this occasion, the Director General of the OIV presented the Organisation and its missions to the Ambassador. He also expressed his desire for a closer relationship between the OIV and Japan at an institutional level.

The OIV hosted the first tasting of Japanese wines, organised by the "Koshu of Japan", in 2012.

Jean-Marie Aurand recalled the OIV's availability for a repeat of this type of event.

Japan has a long-standing viticultural tradition. Its production is based particularly on varieties such as Koshu or Muscat Bailey (which produce wines that express the terroirs' characteristics with elegance and refinement) and on the establishment of geographical indications.

In addition, wine consumption in Japan has seen steady and sustained growth. It reached nearly 3.5 mhl in 2014.