[Nov. 9] Kawano Speaks at Gifu Food Inclusivity Seminar

Gifu Prefecture will hold a food inclusivity seminar for businesses and others in the prefecture that aim to expand overseas.

Tadao Kikuchi, Chairman of Royal Holdings Co., Ltd., will give the keynote speech. Then, a panel discussion will follow. Both Tomohiro Sakuma, Representative Director of the Japan Halal Business Association, and Haruko Kawano, the Representative Director of our organization, VegeProject Japan will speak on the panel.

Food inclusivity refers to the diverse food needs that arise from differences in religion and eating habits. As more people and goods cross borders, responding to these needs has become essential. It is essential for expanding into overseas markets. In addition, it is essential for capturing inbound demand from foreign visitors to Japan. For this reason, the prefecture is holding this seminar on responding to vegan, vegetarian, and halal needs.

The panel discussion theme is “The Need for Halal, Vegetarian, and Vegan Catering.” The panel will introduce familiar examples, such as how Chubu Centrair International Airport responded during the Asian Games. In addition, it will introduce examples of exports and overseas expansion.

Participation is free, and the seminar will be streamed online via Zoom webinar. Businesses in Gifu Prefecture should register at the registration URL below by the deadline.

Flyer for the Gifu Prefecture food inclusivity seminar

Gifu Prefecture Food Inclusivity Seminar

Date and time: Monday, November 9, 2026, 10:00-12:00
Organizer: Gifu Prefecture
Format: Online streaming via Zoom webinar (can also be viewed on smartphones and tablets)
Open to: Businesses and others in Gifu Prefecture
Fee: Free
Registration URL: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_gQoDonu5Q4-BKL2kcdzRBA#/registration
Registration deadline: Friday, November 6, 2026, by 14:00 (after you register, the Zoom URL will be sent to you by email)
Contact: Regional Industry Division, Department of Commerce, Industry and Labor, Gifu Prefecture (staff: Ito, Tsubouchi) E-mail: c11355@pref.gifu.lg.jp
Japan Halal Business Association (staff: Furuta) Tel: +81-3-4540-7564 E-mail: info@jhba.jp
The Japan Halal Business Association is the contractor for Gifu Prefecture’s fiscal 2026 project to support sales channel development for prefectural products by responding to food inclusivity.

Program

10:00-10:05 Opening and greetings

10:05-10:50 Part 1: Keynote speech, “Connecting with the World through Japan’s Food Industry”

Speaker: Tadao Kikuchi (Chairman, Royal Holdings Co., Ltd.)
The speech will cover the potential for Japanese food to expand overseas. It will also cover the importance of responding to religious, allergy-related, and lifestyle needs, with examples from the company.

10:50-11:30 Part 2: Panel discussion, “The Need for Halal, Vegetarian, and Vegan Catering”

Panelists: Tomohiro Sakuma (Representative Director, Japan Halal Business Association) and Haruko Kawano (Representative Director, VegeProject Japan)
The panel will introduce familiar examples, such as how Chubu Centrair International Airport responded during the Asian Games. In addition, it will introduce examples of exports and overseas expansion.

11:30-11:50 Project briefing (Gifu Prefecture’s support programs)

The prefecture will introduce the following projects, which it is carrying out in fiscal 2026.

・Online buyer business meetings (December 2026)
・Menu fair and pop-up at Haneda Airport (second half of January 2027)
・Exhibiting at FOODEX JAPAN 2027 (March 2027, Tokyo Big Sight)

Participation in these projects requires a separate application.

11:50-12:00 Questionnaire and closing

For details, see the Gifu Prefecture press release page (in Japanese) and the Japan Halal Business Association’s seminar page (in Japanese).