The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries announced Friday, Nov. 8, that the government will publicize Japanese agricultural products and rural villages during the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, when many foreign people are expected to visit Japan.
The ministry hopes that Japanese food and agricultural experiences in rural villages will appeal to foreign athletes, journalists and tourists, eventually leading to expanding demand for Japanese agricultural products abroad.
The ministry submitted the plan at a joint meeting of the ministry’s headquarters to promote the aggressive agriculture, forestry and fisheries industry and heads of regional agricultural administration offices.
At the meeting, agriculutral minister Yoshimasa Hayashi stressed that as part of promoting the aggressive agricultural industry, the ministry will consider how Japan can welcome foreign visitors by utilizing the industry’s potential, in order to contribute to the success of the games. Government ministries will together consider specific measures to realize the plan.
In providing Japanese foods to foreign visitors, the government will focus on the stable supply of safe foods, and establish a production system of agricultural products in line with the games which will be held in summer.
It will also plan offering Japanese dishes for vegeterians or Japanese food prepared according to halal, a food preparation method in Islamic dietary law, and sponsoring Japanese cuisine promotion events in cooperation with hotels.
As for agritourism, the government will create a system to offer information to foreign tourists and increase places where they can enjoy farm stays and local specialties.
In order to give foreign Olympic athletes the chance to experience Japanese traditional housing, the ministry hopes that wooden materials and tatami mats will be used in building an Olympic Village and other games-related facilities.
(Nov. 9, 2013)