On January 30, 2024, the 4th meeting of the “Plant-Based Food Promotion Working Team” led by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries took place at PASONA SQUARE.
The purpose of this team is to gather various organizations including manufacturers, companies, research institutions, and civil organizations for the promotion of plant-based foods in Japan.
This meeting represented the team’s first in-person gathering since they began conducting their activities online with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Approximately 60 individuals, mostly representing companies engaged in plant-based food initiatives, attended the event.
During the event, a panel discussion titled “How to promote plant-based foods in Japan?” featured Owner/Chef, Tokyo Tourism Ambassador and CEO of Watermark Co., Ltd. Hal Yamashita, Kagome Co., Ltd. representative Shinya Sato, and VegeProject Japan representative Haruko Kawano. Shu Kudo, CEO of V-COOK Co., Ltd., served as the moderator.
The panelists shared insights, challenges, initiatives, and future visions related to plant-based foods from their respective perspectives. They also engaged in Q&A sessions with the participants, inducing further discussions on the topic.
From left to right: Hal Yamashita, Haruko Kawa, Shinya Sato, and Shu Kudo
Following the panel discussion, participants were divided into groups for workshops to address various topics related to plant-based foods. This provided an opportunity to identify common challenges and generate new ideas to overcome those obstacles.
The event concluded with a tasting session of plant-based and vegan products, facilitating information exchange and networking opportunities among participants.
We express our sincere gratitude for the opportunity to participate as a panelist and to all those who attended and contributed to the success of the event.