As the Group of Seven summit that Japan will host in May in Mie Prefecture nears, local sake breweries are hoping the government will select their brand to be used for toasts during the banquet Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will host at the two-day event.

The brewer whose sake is chosen will get a huge publicity lift. But some are fretting the government has already made its pick, making them even more jumpy.

"It's like a black box," said one government official, adding that there are no set rules in selecting what will be served at the dinner.