U.S. bourbon maker IJW plots debut as producer of Japanese whisky

SAPPORO, Japan -- U.S. bourbon maker IJW Whiskey plans to build a distillery in Japan's northern island of Hokkaido in a bid to capitalize on surging global demand for Japanese-made whisky.

The distillery will be constructed in the city of Chitose by Cedarfield, IJW's local subsidiary established in Tokyo. Production will start as early as next year.