DipWSET, Certified Master of Sake, Master Sake Sommelier, and Shochu Sommelier. Toshio is the only one in the world to hold Master of Sake (酒匠), Master Sake Sommelier (日本酒学講師), and WSET Sake Educator diploma. Born in Japan where his family has grown Japanese wine grape, Koshu, for generations, Toshio grew up helping the business from a young age. Following his college education in the US and employment at an international trading company in Tokyo, Toshio joined Chateraise, a pastry and wine company as Director of Sales. There, he was put in charge of overseeing the personal wine collection of the company's president, which intrigued him to enter the world of wine stewardship and research. Toshio joined Mutual Trading Company in 2002, where he is Manger of the Business Development Department in marketing Japanese foods, Jizake, and Shochu to the mainstream American trade. With his passion and expertise in Jizake, Shochu, and Wine, Toshio aims to further promote Japanese food and Sake cultures to new, international audiences. Since 2010, he has been Vice President & Executive Instructor at Sake School of America. In 2016 he was awarded the industry’s most prestigious title Sake Samurai from Japan Sake & Shochu Makers Association.

Honors & Awards:
2017 Distinguished Service Prize, Food & Beverage Organization Japan
2016 Sake Samurai, Japan Sake & Shochu Makers Association

Certification:
WSET Level 4 Diploma Candidate
WSET Level 3 Award in Wine & Sprits
Certified Sommelier, Court of Master Sommeliers
Certified Specialist of Wine, Society of Wine Educators
French Wine Scholar, French Wine Society
Certified Italian Wine Specialist, NASA

日本酒学講師 Master Sake Sommelier / Sake Educator, SSI
酒匠 Master of Sake, SSI
南部杜氏協会 研究科生 Nanbu Toji Guild Pre-Toji Candidate
Certified Shochu Sommelier, SSI
Certified Sake Sommelier (Kikisake-shi唎酒師),SSI
Certified Beer Adviser, FBO