Japanese Food Product Promotion Event in the U.S.

Efforts to expand exports with the deactivation of U.S. import measures last year

TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries will hold an event in New York promoting Japanese food products (primarily food from Fukushima Prefecture) in February and March to further expand the export of Japanese food products by taking advantage of the deactivation of Japanese food import measures by the U.S. in September of last year.

1. A reception for communicating the wonders of Japanese food and food culture

A reception will be held through the support of the Consulate-General of Japan in New York and the JETRO New York office to showcase the wonders of Japanese food and food culture to local media representatives, influencers, and food industry affiliates including restaurant personnel.

(1) Date: Thursday, February 17, 2022

(A) Afternoon session: 3:00 - 4:15 p.m.
(B) Evening session: 6:00 - 7:15 p.m. (U.S. Eastern Time)

(2) Venue: “Murase Room”, Japan Society (New York City)

(3) Invitees: U.S. media representatives, food influencers, food managers of hotels, restaurants, retailers, etc.

(4) Details:

(A) Video message by Ms. Yutaka Arai, Vice-Minister for International Affairs, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan, and Mr. Masao Uchibori, Governor of Fukushima Prefecture.
(B) Provision of Japanese food utilizing ingredients from Fukushima Prefecture, etc. that were suggested by the Japanese Cuisine Goodwill Ambassador.
(Nigiri sushi using rice from Fukushima Prefecture, sukiyaki using wagyu beef from Fukushima Prefecture, etc.)
(C) Introduction of menu and ingredients and soba-uchi demonstration by the Japanese Cuisine Goodwill Ambassador
(D) Airing of PR videos of food products from Fukushima Prefecture

2. Promotion of onigiri made with Japanese rice

The following promotion will be conducted by collaborating with the “Onigiri Promotion,” implemented by the Consulate-General of Japan in New York and the JETRO New York office, to raise awareness for Japanese rice, onigiri, and the characteristics of Japanese rice, which remains tasty even when cooled down, especially among the young generations and corporate and school personnel.

(1) Distribution of onigiri bentos

(A) Period: Monday, February 7 through Friday, February 25 (U.S. Eastern Time) (tentative)
(B) Details: Distribution of onigiri bentos made with Japanese rice to companies and schools

*Between Friday, February 18 and Friday, February 25 (tentative) during the aforementioned period, we will distribute and sell onigiri bentos made with rice from Fukushima Prefecture.

(2) Onigiri experiential event

(A) Period: Friday, February 25 and Sunday March 6 (U.S. Eastern Time)
(B) Location: Japan Village (Japanese food complex in New York City) and Mt. Fuji Restaurant (a Japanese restaurant in the suburbs of New Jersey)
(C) Details: A general consumer event for experiencing the art of onigiri-making

3. Business conference

JETRO New York office will host a small online business conference to match local food wholesalers and importers who are interested in Japanese food products (i.e. rice from Fukushima Prefecture) with companies, etc. in Japan looking to export to the U.S.
Period: Late February to early March (TBD)

4. Other

(1) These events will be held while taking sufficient coronavirus infection measures required by the corresponding region, and details could change or events could become canceled depending on the circumstance.

(2) If you wish to cover the events on-site, please contact us via the information below.

(FYI: Export value of food, agriculture, forestry, and fisheries products to the U.S. in 2021)
168.3 billion Yen (alcoholic beverages, yellowtail fish, green tea, etc.) (Ranked 3rd in the world)