The list of products ranges from Armagh Bramley Apples to Welsh Whisky and protects food exporters from counterfeit products. Protected products already include numerous household names in the UK, including Cornish Clotted Cream, Cornish Pasties, Melton Mowbray Pork Pie, Welsh Beef, and English Wine. 

UK exports of food and drink to Japan in 2023 totalled £367 million, just over half of which were accounted for by whisky. Japan is the world’s fourth-largest economy and the largest member of the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), of which UK membership was ratified by most member countries last year. 

The agreement also gives similar protection to 39 Japanese products in the UK.

Geographical Indications – a Definition: 

• A Geographical indication (GI) is an intellectual property right used on products that have qualities or characteristics attributable to a specific geographical origin. Examples include Scotch Whisky, Welsh Lamb, and Melton Mowbray Pork Pies.  
• Food, drink, and agricultural products with a geographical connection or that are made using traditional methods can be registered and protected as intellectual property.  
• Geographical indications protect the authenticity of many of our most prestigious food and drink products and give consumers confidence that international GI products are genuine articles.  
• The UK’s annual GI exports are estimated to be worth over £6 billion and account for 25% of UK food and drink exports’ value.  

More information, including the list of protected products, can be found here: New protections for British food and drink in Japan - GOV.UK 

If you are interested in exploring this topic further, you might find it worthwhile to consider the training courses and live clinics offered by Strong & Herd LLP: