Asahi Shokuhin: Think Local, Share Global

Asahi Shokuhin are bringing Japanese food culture to international markets and introducing people to local specialties.

- By Daniel de Bomford, Cian O'Neill

3 Traditional Japanese Flavors

Every facet of culture is an insight into the history and the people from whom it belongs. Food is an inescapable part of culture and one that can be shared with people from the outside, it is a form of communication. Since UNESCO has designated washoku—Japanese cuisine—as an intangible cultural heritage, it has enjoyed an explosion of popularity around the globe. With the Japanese government looking to expand exports to JPY 5 trillion, food will play a vital role in reaching those goals.

Asahi Shokuhin Co., Ltd. are major players in bringing Japanese cuisine to new markets, giving more people the opportunity to experience Japanese culture. Takahisa Takeuchi says the key to Asahi Shokuhin’s business is to secure product supplies and exits. “It’s key for us to grasp the hearts and minds of these end users, promote the products and show the variety of the Japanese gastronomical scene,” he says.