- Underway through Dec. 3 in Tokyo, 3 other prefectures in Japan -

With the theme of "Connecting producers with consumers, Japan with the world," the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries is holding the "Festival of Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries" for about a month through December 3 Tuesday) in Tokyo and three other prefectures (Fukuoka, Iwate and Nagano) in Japan. The event is designed to disseminate throughout Japan and the rest of the world the splendid values offered by Japanese agriculture, forestry and fisheries and the nation's food industry as well as farming and fishing villages.

A related event, "Tasty Ginza x Festival of Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, JAPAN," is also being held through November 30 (Sunday) in Ginza,  central Tokyo. (http://ginza-ryouin.jp/?cat=64)

On December 3, the final day of the festival, a ceremony will be held at Otemachi Sankei Plaza, Tokyo, from 10:00 to 16:00 to give the "Food Action Nippon Award 2013."

In response to the global boom for Japanese food, this year's event emphasizes content for people from other countries. As part of a seminar on "This is the Power of the 'Country of Food,'" an event titled the "Tour of shinise (time-honored stores) in the Nihonbashi area selling foodstuffs essential for Japanese cuisine -- learning its essence" was held four times, attracting a total of 60 foreign students and visitors.

At "JAPAN FOOD FESTA 2013," visitors tried a variety of soy sauce, toasted rice balls of newly harvested rice from Fukushima, Yonezawa beef from Yamagata and Kakegawa green tea from Shizuoka, and listened to English presentations on farm products by students working in agriculture, forestry and fisheries. Later, more than 80% of the visitors answered that they now had a better understanding of "Japanese food and agriculture."

The visitors showed special interest in condiments and traditional Japanese foodstuffs, indicating that global interest in Japanese cuisine will expand beyond sushi and tempura.

On December 8 (Sunday), a final competition and an award-giving ceremony will be held regarding the "World Challenge for Japanese cuisine" cooked by foreign chefs from 21 countries and regions.