The Embassy of which country applied for a GI Tag for "Nihonshu" for the first time in India?

The correct answer is Japan.

Key Points

• The Embassy of Japan applied for a GI tag for Nihonshu, also known as Japanese sake. Japan sought a Geographical Indication (GI) tag for the first time in India.
• The Japanese Embassy in New Delhi applied for a GI tag for Nihonshu (Japanese sake) at the Geographical Indication Registry in Chennai. 
• Nihonshu
  • In Japan, Nihonshu is regarded as a special and valuable beverage made from fermenting rice.
  • People traditionally drink Nihonshu on special occasions, such as festivals, weddings, or funerals, but it is also consumed on a daily basis.
  • Thus, it is an integral part of the lifestyle and culture in Japan.
    The sake market (almost all are nihonshu) is the second largest brewed liquor (such as beer) market in Japan.

Additional InformationGeographical Indication (GI) Tag

• Geographical Indication (GI) is an indication used to identify goods having special characteristics originating from a definite geographical territory.
• The Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 seeks to provide for the registration and better protection of geographical indications relating to goods in India.
• It is governed and directed by the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS).
  • It was decided and also stated under Articles 1 (2) and 10 of the Paris Convention that the protection of industrial Property and Geographical Indication are elements of Intellectual Property.
• It is primarily an agricultural, natural, or manufactured product (handicrafts and industrial goods).

Validity:

• This tag is valid for a period of 10 years following which it can be renewed.

Significance:

• Once a product gets this tag, any person or company cannot sell a similar item under that name.
• GI registration of a product provides it with legal protection and prevention against unauthorized use by others.
• GI tag helps in promoting the exports of the product.
• It also provides comfort to customers about the authenticity of that product.