Shizuka Nagase from Fukushima Crowned '2026 Miss SAKE Japan' Grand Prix Winner!!

The nonprofit organization Miss SAKE (2-10-7 Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director Mika Onishi) held the '2026 Miss SAKE Japan Final Selection' on Saturday, June 13, and announced the winner of '2026 Miss SAKE Japan'.

Shizuka Nagase from Fukushima was crowned '2026 Miss SAKE Japan', an ambassador role dedicated to promoting the charm of Japanese culture—centered on the traditional beverage 'sake'—to the world. As the 13th titleholder, Ms. Nagase expressed her deep sense of responsibility and excitement about representing Japan's rich sake culture globally. 'Sake reflects Japan's seasons, regional characteristics, rice and water quality, and the brewers' passion. There are countless stories behind every sip. I will accurately and accessibly communicate sake's value and, amid the global popularity of Japanese cuisine, work diligently to share sake's appeal with more people around the world,' she stated. Over the next year, she will actively travel across Japan and overseas to promote Japan's rich food culture through sake and support inbound tourism to Japan.

Other results are as follows:

— 2026 Miss SAKE Japan Results —

Grand Prix: Shizuka Nagase (Fukushima)

First Runner-up: Haruka Miwa (Shiga)

　　　　　　Chiyo Mi Yokoo (Fukuoka)

Judge's Special Award: Sakurako Yamada (Yamanashi)

Audience Award: Hana Ooue (Osaka)

Regional Contribution Award: Chiyuri Iida (Akita)

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Nanami Kato (Aichi)

【Event Overview: 2026 Miss SAKE Japan Final Selection】

【Date】Saturday, June 13, 2026, 17:30–20:45 (Doors open at 16:30)

【Venue】Mizuho-no-Ma Hall, The Westin Miyako Kyoto (1 Kachoen, Awataguchi, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto)

【Organizer】Miss SAKE General Incorporated Association

【Supporting Organizations】Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries; Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry; National Tax Agency; Agency for Cultural Affairs; Japan Tourism Agency; Headquarters for Intellectual Property Strategy; Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO); Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO); National Sake Brewers Association; Japan Sake Brewers Youth Council; Kyoto Prefecture; Kyoto City

【SDGs: Building a Society that Promotes Regional Revitalization and Women's Empowerment】

We hope to see more women who take pride in being born and raised in Japan.

Miss SAKE provides an opportunity to rediscover the richness of Japan's seasonal climate, unique regional cultures and traditions, and abundant food and local products.

It is essential for Japan's future that women with high ability and motivation, regardless of where they live in the country, have equal access to opportunities to achieve their dreams and personal growth—this vision leads to a stronger future.

At the same time, maintaining opportunities for interaction across age and gender lines to solve regional challenges contributes to the sustainable development of society.

Through Miss SAKE, the entire nation collaborates toward a shared goal, advancing activities that energize Japan and the world through women's empowerment.

【Miss SAKE's Past Activities】

Miss SAKE was launched in September 2013 by the General Incorporated Association Miss SAKE to select ambassadors with refined aesthetic sense and intelligence who can promote the charm of traditional Japanese sake and culture both domestically and internationally. The first '2014 Miss SAKE' was crowned at a selection event in October 2013, supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, National Tax Agency, Japan Tourism Agency, and the National Sake Brewers Association.

For the past 13 years, Miss SAKE has conducted over 400 annual activities worldwide—including in Hawaii, New York, London, Milan, Barcelona, Sydney, and Hong Kong—promoting Japanese food and culture through sake and encouraging inbound tourism to Japan.

In 2016, Miss SAKE USA was launched in New York—the first overseas chapter. It was praised by The Wall Street Journal, a leading U.S. financial newspaper, as a 'cultural initiative advocating women's dignity and equality without swimsuit judging'. In its 13th year, '2026 Miss SAKE Japan' continues to expand regional and international competitions, evolving as a new cultural initiative centered on sake.

[Examples of Activities as of June 2026]

(Domestic) 'Sake Fair' / 'IWC Award Ceremony' / 'Japanese Society of Clinical Cytology' / 'Ise-Shima Summit' / 'Rugby World Cup 2019 Fan Zone' / 'International Rice Taste Evaluation Contest' / '109th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Urological Association' / 'Tourism EXPO Japan' / Sake brewery association and brewery events / Various industry exhibitions / Corporate receptions / Academic society receptions / Police station anti-drunk driving campaigns / Local government rice planting and harvest events, etc.

(International) 'FIFA World Cup Brazil' / 'Milan Expo' / 'UNESCO Headquarters Courtesy Visit' / 'Spring Networking Reception at the Japanese Ambassador's Residence in China' / 'Sake PR Event at the Japanese Embassy in India' / 'Salon du Sake in Paris' / 'Salon del Manga in Barcelona' / 'JAXA: Space Symposium in Colorado' / 'Monaco Yacht Show' / 'THE JOY OF SAKE: Honolulu, New York, Las Vegas, London' / 'Japan Culture Festival in Sri Lanka' / 'Sake Dinner in Phnom Penh' / 'Washu Fes at Hong Kong' / 'Matsuri in Sydney' / 'Sake Reception at Shanghai' / 'Asia International Sake Competition in China' / 'Sake PR Event at the Japanese Embassy in India' / '26th São Paulo Japanese Festival', etc.

For detailed activity reports, please visit the blog on our official website:

https://www.misssake.org/blog/

d56502-138-f6308c2079950fb9a7962479b7fc5372.pdf

【Inquiries】

Miss SAKE General Incorporated Association
Contact: Takehara

4F, Sakuramon Building II, 2-10-7 Shibamikado, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0012

Tel/Fax: 03-6822-2470 / 03-6822-2471

Email: sake@misssake.org