Japan’s ‘alcohol problem’ disowned

Press, 26 July 1989, Page 6

Japan’s ‘alcohol problem’ disowned

PA Wellington Warnings from an Alcoholic Liquor Advisory Council official that many Japanese lacked tolerance to alcohol and exporting wine there could add to Japan’s drink problems were disowned by the council yesterday. The council’s chief executive, Mr Keith Evans, said the central region official’s comments were out of line and action would be taken to ensure the incident was not repeated. “We are not in a position to be commenting on the use or abuse of alcohol in Japan and it is not our intention to slur the Japanese by suggesting they can’t handle alcohol,” Mr Evans said. Neither was the council interested in a joint venture between a Japanese wine company and Corbans Wines — expected to result in the export of 200,000 litres of Napier Chardonnay a year. The official had pointed to research showing many Japanese lacked a chemical affecting alcohol tolerance and said he was concerned about an export drive which would encourage more Japanese to drink.He knew Corbans wished to promote responsible use of its products and in a friendly spirit wanted to point out the possible consequences. Mr Evans said the council sought to promote moderation and minimise the misuse of alcohol in New Zealand.