Japanese whisky regulation by private sector
Honest Label
Major companies and some honest craft distilleries are stopping Kanji letter label for whisky containing imported bulk or describe "World whisky" on label.
Nikka has pure malt whisky containing imported bulk but label is described by only alphabet (without Kanji letter brand) as their honest.
Suntory describes this type as "World whisky" or put label described by only alphabet (without Kanji letter brand)
Ichiro also describes "World blended whisky" or "World malt whisky".
Ichiro's malt
World Blended
Venture whisky
Amahagan
World malt
Nagahama Roman beer
Ao
World whisky
Suntory
Japanese whisky definition by private sector
Tokyo whisky spirits competition by Japan whisky research center, private company, is trying to make new standard of Japanese whisky definition.
They categorize following 3 type.
It is positive trend that making regulation which stop bad quality "Japanese whisky" however it is no public authorization power and still some loose points like followings
1, Only 2 years aging instead of 3 years
2, No minimum % of Japanese whisky in Japan made whisky