'Japan Cider Awards 2026' Confirmed! | 7th edition of the competition visualizing 'reasons to sell'!

The Japan Cider Master Association (hereinafter referred to as the Association) will hold the "Japan Cider Awards 2026" for cider makers and importers nationwide. This award is not just a simple quality evaluation, but a competition aimed at clarifying "the reasons why it is chosen in the market" and connecting it to sales, marking its 7th edition this year. A major feature is that through entry, it leads to the expansion of recognition and the creation of sales opportunities by evaluating, recording, and communicating about the company's products. ■ Blind Judging by Distribution and Sales Professionals Judging is carried out by professionals active at the forefront of distribution, retail, and food service. Through blind judging based on actual sales environments, evaluations are made from perspectives such as: - Tastes chosen by consumers - Characteristics easy to handle in storefronts and menus - Potential for continuous sales. ■ Integrated Design of 'Evaluation, Recording, and Communication' This award is designed as a mechanism to build up brand value, rather than ending with a one-time win. ① Evaluation ⇒ Obtain quality evaluation from a market perspective ② Recording ⇒ Produce "Cider Book 2026" featuring all entered brands (print and electronic) ③ Communication ⇒ Continuous exposure through article creation and community collaboration. ■ 'Cider Book 2026' Featuring All Entered Brands All entered brands will be featured in the "Cider Book 2026". Product characteristics and background information are organized and delivered to the market as "information to be chosen." *Reference 2024 Edition: https://x.gd/Evdr9 2025 Edition: https://x.gd/0cFYI ■ Interview and Article Creation "Cider Travelogue" Entrants are provided with opportunities for interviews and article creation (optional). Rather than simple product introductions, by communicating: - Production background - Dedication - Brand story, we support the formation of reasons to purchase and br