A sake produced by a brewery in the western Japan prefecture of Yamaguchi won the top prize in its category Friday for the second year in a row at an international sake contest held in northeastern Japan.

The "Trophy" of the International Wine Challenge, one of the largest wine contests outside Japan, went to "Kinsuzume 40%" from the Horie Brewing Co. Ltd.

Kinsuzume 40% competed in the category of "junmai daiginjo" sake using rice kernels polished down to 50 percent or less with no alcohol or sugar added.

"Although our brewery is small, our aim is to make good sake for the global market. The recognition (by the IWC) is encouraging," said Kazumasa Horie, the chief brewer at Horie Brewing.

"Okunomatsu Adatara Ginjo" brewed by Okunomatsu Sake Brewery Co. in Fukushima Prefecture won the Trophy in the ginjo category of sake using rice ground to at least 60 percent.

"We are struggling to increase sales which are still hurt by rumors (about contamination caused by the Fukushima nuclear disaster), but I'm glad we are highly evaluated," said Joji Yusa, who heads the brewery.

"Gekkeikan Tokusen" of Gekkeikan Sake Co. and other two brands were awarded the top prize in the "Great Value" category.

The IWC sake competition was created in 2007 and has nine categories. It is normally held in London, but Japan hosted it in 2012 and 2016. The Champion Sake award will be given to the highest-rated brand among the winners of the nine categories in July in London.