What is the ultimate delicacy you'd like to savor? "Food Action Nippon Award 2016" Final Judging Session

The final judging session for the " Food Action Nippon Award 2016 " (organized by the same secretariat) was held on October 19 at the Rihga Royal Hotel Tokyo in Shinjuku Ward. This award recognizes outstanding initiatives by businesses and organizations contributing to increased consumption of domestic agricultural, forestry, and fishery products, aiming to pass on Japan's food culture to the next generation.

For its eighth iteration, the award received 1,008 entries showcasing regional ingredients and food cultures. From the 100 products that passed the initial screening, the final judging session selected 10 products to be designated as "Ultimate Masterpieces."

The final judging panel included: Hiroshi Maeda, Vice President of Amazon Japan; Soichi Okazaki, President of Aeon Retail; Atsushi Kamei, President of Ito-Yokado; Ken Kuwahara, President of Kinokuniya; Chihiro Futatsuhashi, President of Tokyu Department Store; Sadahiro Nakamura, President of Transit General Office; President Naoya Araki of Hankyu Hanshin Department Stores, Chairman and CEO Hidenori Asano of Four Seasons, President and Executive Officer Hiroshi Otsuka of Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings, and Chairman and CEO Motoichi Tamatsuka of Lawson.

On the day, judges toured the booths of each organization and business, tasting each product while evaluating not only the item itself but also the people behind its cultivation and the stories behind it. Many applicants passionately conveyed their enthusiasm to the judges.

The final judging results were: Murase's "Rice Granola (Kinako Flavor, Maple Flavor, Japanese Dashi Flavor)", Oita Himejima's "Phantom 2-Day Hijiki", Taniou Shokuryo Kogyo's "Whole Onion Soup (Ginger) N", Shimagokoro's "Setoda Lemon Cake Shimagokoro", Tokachi Shimizu Cosmos Farm's "Brown Swiss Beef Corned Beef", Seikodo's "Ichifuku Hyakka Whole Mandarin Daifuku," Kanda-ya's "Peanut Fresh Castella," Nakagawa Nogiku no Sato's "Traditional Black Rice Yayoi Purple," Shibayama Farm's "Sweet-Scented Baked Sweet Potato," and Tokachi City Design's "Beer for the Start of Your Journey."

Finally, Mr. Shinichi Fujisaki, representative of Regional Revitalization Planning, delivered the closing remarks: "It's not about supporting the region because something happened. I believe that by combining everyone's strength, we can create opportunities like this for the world, no matter the circumstances. I hope this continues indefinitely."

On the same day, symposium keynote lectures were held: "Making Regional Premium Products a Hit" by Mr. Fujisaki and "Products That Capture Consumers' Hearts" by Mr. Onishi. A panel discussion was also held with Mr. Tamatsuka and Mr. Koji Inoue, Director-General of the Food Industry Bureau at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.