An event to promote sake from a western prefecture of Japan was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Monday. The organizers aim to expand their market in Southeast Asia where economic growth continues.

Eight sake breweries from Ehime Prefecture took part in the event.

More than 30 brands were on display at the tasting event, including sake using yeast taken from Ehime's original flower.

Local importers and visitors enjoyed their first sip of Japanese sake.

One importer said the sake she tasted was dry and very suitable for Malaysian palates.
One of the organizers, the Ehime Sake Brewery Cooperative Association, also held a similar event in Singapore.

The director of the association said he hoped that in the future, sake will be a drink that can be enjoyed not only in Japan, but also by people all over the world.

In Malaysia, Japanese food is growing in popularity along with that of sake. According to Japanese finance ministry data, the total value of imports from Japan last year has nearly tripled in 10 years.