Event Moderators
Rie Yoshitake & Emma Wilson
Rie Yoshitake（吉武理恵）
Fukushima Tourism Ambassador
Sake Promoter
UK-Japan communication & business consultant
Rie Yoshitake is the leading Sake ambassador in Europe, where she represents the Sake Samurai Association (SSA) and the Japan Sake and Shochu Maker’s Association (JSSA), and is the sake ambassador for the International Wine Challenge (IWC). Rie has been supporting Fukushima's recovery especially through sake from Fukushima and promoting Fukushima’s fame as Japan’s No1 sake. She has organised various events at prestigious venues such as the Houses of Parliament and the Japanese embassy. Rie has come to be known as the "Sake Lady" of London, her adopted home, where she received the Japanese MAFF Minister’s Award (2014) and the Foreign Minister’s Award (2019) for her contribution towards raising the profile of Japan’s national drink and cuisine. She currently runs her international business consultancy Yoshitake & Associates, which acts to bridge businesses between Japan-UK, and beyond.
Emma Wilson
Former JET Programme Participant in Kawamata Town, Fukushima 2014-2017
Member of the Fukushima Association in London (Shakunage Kai) 2017- present
Emma Wilson works in Client Service for a Japanese firm in London. She lived in Kawamata Town in Fukushima prefecture from 2014-2017 teaching English as part of the JET programme. Seeking to continue her connection with the region upon her return to the UK in 2017, she became a member of the Fukushima Association in London, assisting in the Fukushima Booth at the annual Japan Matsuri in Trafalgar Square and attending events in support of the recovery of the region.