Japan eyes adding culinary masters as "living national treasures"

Japan is considering designating highly skilled masters of Japanese cuisine and sake brewers as "living national treasures" currently limited to traditional art performers and fine craft makers, sources familiar with the matter said Friday.The Cultural Affairs Agency also plans to add local cuisine as "intangible cultural assets." By elevating culinary artisans and local cuisines, the government hopes to further attract foreign interest in Japan, boosting tourism and food exports.The agency will set up a unit specialized in Japanese food culture in April, and start surveying Japan's food an…READ FULL ARTICLE