Japan registers its tea under protection system to curb imitation products

Japan's farm ministry said Friday it has newly registered three products, including "Japanese tea," under its geographical indication protection system aimed at safeguarding brands of agricultural and fishery products as imitations spread overseas.Once registered, products can be sold with a GI mark, and the government will crack down on false labeling and other violations.The new designation for Japanese tea applies broadly to all green tea cultivated and processed domestically. It is unusual for a GI, which typically protects brand names tied to specific regions, not to specify a particul…READ FULL ARTICLE