TOKYO >> Major Japanese alcoholic beverage companies are preparing to export gin.

Over the past few years, Japanese whiskey has been gaining popularity overseas, and its export has been increasing. The companies are now aiming to enter the growing worldwide market for gin. All eyes will be on the extent to which Japanese gin will be accepted by the rest of the world.

Gin is a type of distilled liquor called a spirit that uses malt, corn or other grains as raw materials.

Asahi Breweries will launch its new gin brand Coffey Gin, manufactured by its affiliate Nikka Whisky Distilling Co., in Europe and the United States in September. The new brand is made with distillation techniques capable of retaining the desirable tastes and aromas of the raw ingredients.

It is Asahi Breweries’ first time selling Japanese gin abroad.

“The demand for spirits is growing across the world, creating a new boom,” Taketoshi Kishimoto, president of Nikka Whisky Distilling, said at a press conference in May.

Suntory Spirits jointly developed ROKU with Suntory group’s major U.S. spirit maker, Beam Suntory. The new product features ingredients unique to Japan such as cherry blossom, yuzu citrus and sansho Japanese pepper.

It will be available in Europe and the United States, possibly before the end of the year.