I have a question for flyertalk members who know Japan. I quit drinking many years ago after abusing alcohol as a young man. I do not drink at all. During our visit to Japan, we will be spending some time with a Japanese family who we like a great deal, and they are unaware that I don't drink. I am afraid I will offend them if they offer me sake or another drink and I refuse. How do I refuse gracefully? I have a client who travels to Korea a great deal who doesn't drink for similar reasons, and he struggles with this often.

My common way of refusing a drink that is offered is to simply thank the person and ask for soda water or something else non-alcoholic without any explanation, but I don't know if etiquette in Japan would require a different response.

Thank you for any guidance you can give me.

dcman2