IWAKUNI, Yamaguchi — Asahi Shuzo Co., famous as the brewer of Dassai brand sake, has stepped up sales of its Yamada Nishiki rice to be used as food, instead of in the production of sake amid a decline in sake consumption as many eateries remain closed due to the spread of novel coronavirus infections.

​SAKAIMINATO, Tottori - The government will strengthen its support for the expansion of sake exports, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said Monday during his visit to a sake brewery in Sakaiminato, Tottori Prefecture, that is committed to exporting its products.