'2026 Miss Amazake' Final Selection Event to be Held! A Joint Project with Bishoujo Zukan, known for producing stars like Fumi Nikaido, to select 'Ambassadors for Japan's Future' to promote the charm of traditional Amazake domestically and internationally.

The general incorporated association Miss SAKE (Representative Director: Mika Onishi, Minato-ku, Tokyo) will hold the '2026 Miss Amazake Final Selection Event' on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at Kanda Myojin Hall in Tokyo. This event is part of a new project, 'Miss Amazake,' themed around Japanese traditional culture and brewing culture (amazake). This new culture-disseminating audition, under the banner of 'traditional culture x next generation,' was created in joint production with Bishoujo Zukan Co., Ltd. (CEO: Kosuke Nakamura, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo), which has produced many next-generation stars.

The project aims to cultivate future ambassadors who will convey the charm of Japanese culture both domestically and internationally. At the final selection event, a grand prix winner and other prize winners will be chosen from among 12 finalists.

What is Miss Amazake?

Background of Miss Amazake's Establishment

Miss Amazake is a program that selects next-generation ambassadors who learn about the culture and regional charms through the traditional Japanese drink 'amazake' and disseminate this information domestically and internationally.

In recent years, opportunities for the younger generation to engage with Japanese and fermentation culture have been decreasing. On the other hand, due to the spread of social media and international exchange, the number of young people overseas interested in Japanese culture is increasing. What is needed now is 'a presence that can speak about culture in their own words and deliver it to the world.' 'Miss Amazake' evaluates the ability to learn about cultural backgrounds and regional charms through the traditional Japanese drink of amazake and to communicate them effectively.

Miss Amazake Official HP

What is Miss SAKE?

Since its establishment in 2013, Miss SAKE has been a cultural project that has cultivated ambassadors for Japanese sake and culture for 13 years. With the support of the National Tax Agency, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Agency for Cultural Affairs, Japan Tourism Agency, and the Cabinet Office's Intellectual Property Strategy Headquarters, it has promoted Japanese culture at over 400 domestic and international events annually, establishing a firm position as an 'international ambassador for Japanese culture.'

Miss Amazake is a new project born from the knowledge and network of Miss SAKE. With the non-alcoholic 'amazake' as its theme, it opens a new stage for the younger generation, including minors, to challenge themselves in cultural dissemination.

Furthermore, this time, through joint production with Bishoujo Zukan Co., Ltd., we have built a communication system that fuses 'culture x youth x media.' As a cultural project connecting tradition and the next generation, it has evolved into a plan where more diverse talents can challenge themselves.

Audition Overview

Official Name

Miss Amazake Audition

Organizers

Bishoujo Zukan Co., Ltd., General Incorporated Association Miss SAKE

Application Conditions

・Female of Japanese nationality ・No experience required (self-recommendations/other-recommendations are welcome) ・Aged between 10 and 29 at the time of the final judging (parental consent required for those under 18) ・Able to participate in activities on weekends and holidays ・Agency affiliation does not matter ・Must be able to communicate directly with the individual, not through a manager, etc. ・Able to participate in either live streaming/video submission on MixChannel or an in-person interview after document screening

Judging Criteria

Miss Amazake goes beyond just evaluating appearance, focusing on three key points: 'Facial Impression,' 'Speech Content,' and 'International Sense/Language Ability' to assess comprehensive ability as a cultural disseminator. We determine 'if they are suitable as a person who will connect and transmit culture to the future.'

◆Facial Impression We evaluate poise and facial softness that convey culture, as well as a dignified presence.

◆Speech Content We emphasize word choice, speech structure, and the quality of the desire to communicate, judging whether they can express their understanding of Japanese culture and their own thoughts in their own words.

◆International Sense/Language Ability We evaluate whether they have a perspective for disseminating Japanese culture overseas and possess basic language skills and an international sensibility.

Details of Streaming and Movie Judging

The second round of judging for Miss Amazake offers three formats to choose from according to the challenger's style: 'Streaming, Movie, and In-person.' Each format evaluates different expressive abilities and charms, and a total of 12 finalists were selected.

Streaming Judging (5 people) The focus is on communication skills in live streaming, how they convey messages, and their individuality, emphasizing the ability to transmit charm even through a screen.

Movie Judging (2 people) Based on pre-recorded videos, we comprehensively evaluate the ingenuity of presentation, composition skills, and understanding and passion for culture. This format is suitable for those who are good at speaking or want to film at their own pace.

In-person Judging (5 people) We have them express themselves directly at the venue, multifacetedly judging their poise, communication skills, and cultural understanding.

Comments from the Final Judging Panel

Yoshinori Iwata

Chairman, Japan Model Agency Association

I am pleased that Miss Amazake is starting.