Photo/Illutration Bottles of Wakatsuru Shuzo Co.’s Tonamino Spirit 77 (Provided by Wakatsuru Shuzo Co.)

TONAMI, Toyama Prefecture--Changes are brewing at alcohol manufacturers across the country as they turn production toward hard liquors that can double as hand sanitizer.

It comes as health care providers face a looming sanitizer shortage over the COVID-19 pandemic and after the government said they can use high-concentration alcohol drinks as replacements.

Wakatsuru Shuzo Co., a local brewer known for its sake brands, such as Wakatsuru and Nokaya, started selling an unusually strong liqueur on April 13 that can be used as an antiseptic wash, in anticipating an increase in demand for sanitizer.

The flavored drink, Tonamino Spirit 77, has 77 percent alcohol by volume--close to the highest concentration drink. The strong alcohol volume is comparable to what is used in many antiseptic agents at hospitals.

Takahiko Inagaki, 32, manager of Wakatsuru Shuzo’s Saburomaru Distillery, decided to take advantage of the company’s high-concentration alcohol and put it into a product that could help prevent infections, after witnessing the effects of the coronavirus spreading in the Hokuriku region, home to his company.

Breweries in other areas are also taking a shot at producing drinks so stiff that they can be used for hand sanitizing.

Kikusui Shuzo Co. in Kochi Prefecture and Meirishurui Co. in Ibaraki Prefecture began making their 77 percent Alcohol 77 and 65 percent Meiri no 65 Percent bottles, respectively, in late March.

The health ministry sent a notice to medical centers and other facilities toward the end of March allowing them to substitute highly alcoholic beverages for antiseptic. The notice said the supply of antiseptic solutions has become an “urgent” situation.

The ministry notified sake producers in April they can temporarily market hard alcohol products as “useful for disinfecting hands and fingers,” even though they have not obtained permission to manufacture pharmaceutical items or quasi-medicinal agents.

With the country under a state of emergency, residents are being urged to stay home and certain restaurants have suspended their businesses.

Wakatsuru Shuzo is struggling with a sudden drop in demand, primarily from wholesalers in the Tokyo metropolitan area.

Despite the tough times, Wakatsuru Shuzo is looking to donate part of the profits from Tonamino Spirit 77 to organizations working to contain the virus. A 300-milliliter bottle retails at 880 yen ($8.2) before tax.

The company had initially planned to produce 1,000 bottles a week but has increased production since April 16, placing priority on supplying medical institutions in Hokuriku and elsewhere.

Its product label bears the message: “From Tonamino, with spirit.”

“I want our message of hope written on the label to spread, so that the day will come as early as possible when people can (once again) enjoy sake from their heart,” Inagaki said.

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