Key FactorsFOOD & AGRICULTURE

JAPANESE CUISINE IS AN INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE,
AND THE CAPITAL CITY, TOKYO, HAS MORE MICHELIN STARS
THAN ANY OTHER CITY IN THE WORLD.
EXPERIENCE THE UNIQUE FLAVORS OF JAPAN FOR YOURSELF.

Background

Japanese food--from haute cuisine to the daily diet--is an object of global appreciation. In 2013, UNESCO inscribed the traditional Japanese diet as an Intangible Cultural Heritage. Michelin has showered praise on Japan, awarding Tokyo more stars than any other city on the planet, with Kyoto and Osaka coming in third and fourth respectively. Many of the restaurants on the list offer premium cuisine, while others serve up crafted versions of casual dishes like ramen noodles.

Recent News

With high quality standards, the thoroughly controlled food supply chain in Japan efficiently delivers all manners of fresh fish, meat and produce across the country, resulting in most cities having bustling markets.

An emphasis on quality has led to the development of "Wagyu" (Japanese beef such as Kobe beef), which applies advanced farming methods and undergoes strict certifications. Japanese fruit is also subject to rigorous quality checks. For example, Aomori Prefecture conducts extensive research into apple production to ensure its orchards produce the best-tasting fruit possible.

This commitment to perfecting food production accounts for Japanese articles on agriculture, forestry, fisheries and food processing receiving far more citations than those from any other Asian country.

Apple Plantation, Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture
Apple Plantation, Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture
Tanbo Art (rice paddy art), Inakadate Village, Aomori Prefecture
Tanbo Art (rice paddy art), Inakadate Village, Aomori Prefecture

Meetings & Events

In 2015, the Fukuoka International Conference Center hosted the 13th International Conference on the Biogeochemistry of Trace Elements, and in 2018 the 5th International Conference on Aquaculture, Agrobusiness Industry and Agrotourism was held in Osaka. Also, the International Union of Nutritional Sciences has selected Tokyo to host the 22nd International Congress of Nutrition in 2021, after a successful edition in Kyoto, in 1975.

In 2015, the Fukuoka International Conference Center hosted the 13th International Conference on the Biogeochemistry of Trace Elements, and in 2018 the 5th International Conference on Aquaculture, Agrobusiness Industry and Agrotourism was held in Osaka.

Trends in the food industry are the main topic of Foodex Japan, held annually at Makuhari Messe, in Chiba. The 2018 edition of the show extended through all 11 halls of the conference center, and saw exhibitors from 83 countries participating in the exhibition and business meetings.

Destinations

A location well suited to food and agriculture conferences is the city of Sapporo, the hub of northern Japan's livestock and dairy farming. The Sapporo Convention Center, conveniently located close to the city center, has hosted the World Buiatrics Congress (2018) and the International Wildlife Management Congress (2015).

Another location with expertise in this sector is Aomori, also in the north. The region is known for its apple production, and between August and November, local plantations are open for visitors to literally come to grips with Japanese farming techniques by harvesting the fruit of their choice for themselves. From June to October, agriculture transforms into art with local rice fields planted with rice varieties to form a natural mosaic when viewed from above.