Shochu distillation worker
しょうちゅうじょうりゅうこう
Industry & Occupation
Classification
Summary
A profession that processes fermented mash made from raw materials such as rice, barley, and sweet potatoes using distillation equipment to manufacture and quality-control shochu.
Description
Shochu distillation workers heat and separate fermented mash made from raw materials such as rice, barley, and sweet potatoes using distillation equipment (pot stills or continuous distillation towers), adjusting alcohol content and flavor to produce shochu. They control distillation temperature and pressure, adjust flavor components, filter, transfer to aging tanks, maintain and clean equipment, and perform product quality inspections (alcohol content measurement, sensory evaluation), etc. They must comply with food hygiene and hazardous materials handling regulations, requiring high levels of hygiene management and safety awareness.
Future Outlook
Demand for shochu remains stable both domestically and internationally, and with the expansion of craft shochu and premium shochu markets, demand for skilled distillation technicians is expected to continue rising. On the other hand, as equipment automation advances, the value of personnel with machine maintenance and analysis skills will increase further.
Personality Traits
Cautious / Patient / Strong sense of responsibility / Team-oriented
Work Style
Factory work / Indoor work / Rotating shifts / Shift work / Uniform provided
Career Path
Manufacturing staff → Group leader (leader) → Manufacturing supervisor → Quality control staff → Factory manager
Required Skills
Distillation operation / Hygiene management / Machine maintenance (basic) / Quality inspection / Use of measuring instruments
Recommended Skills
Basic knowledge of fermentation engineering / Chemical analysis knowledge / SCADA operation
Aptitudes (Strengths Preferred)
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Attention to Detail & Accuracy | Because fine adjustments to distillation conditions and temperature management impact quality. |
| Physical Stamina & Endurance | Because there is a significant amount of physical labor, such as transporting raw materials and cleaning equipment. |
Aptitudes (Weaknesses Acceptable)
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Creativity & Ideation | Because the processes are standardized and stable production is prioritized over new ideas. |
Related Qualifications
- Brewing technician (shochu manufacturing)
- Food hygiene manager
- Hazardous materials handler (Class B Type 4)
Aliases
- Distillation technician
- Shochu distillation technician
Related Jobs
- Beer brewer
- Sake brewer
- Whiskey distiller
- Wine brewer