- Results of Governor Morita's Personal Sales Promotion -

Governor Kensaku Morita of Chiba Prefecture visited Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from January 21 through 26. He met with the president of Aeon Co. (M) Bhd., the Malaysian arm of Japanese retail giant Aeon Co., who agreed to hold a trial sales campaign this summer for nashi (Japanese pears) from Chiba. The governor's visit was a great success.

Publicizing charms of Chiba with catch-phrase "Do you know Chiba, Japan?"

In Malaysia, Governor Morita personally made a pitch for the many charms of his prefecture. At a business session which brought Chiba mission members together with local travel agents, food buyers and others, Governor Morita talked about the pleasure of shopping as well as a rich menu of hands-on fun events which visitors can enjoy in his prefecture, including strawberry picking. He also introduced Chiba's tasty farm products, followed by earnest talks between businesspeople from the two countries.

At an "Evening in Chiba" reception for Malaysian government officials co-sponsored by the Japanese Embassy and Chiba Prefecture, guests were treated to strawberries and peanuts grown in Chiba.

"Chiba Fair" at Aeon Co. (M) stores and plans for trial sales of "nashi from Chiba" at Aeon stores this summer.

At a "Chiba Fair" at the Mid Valley store and other outlets of Aeon Co. (M), which is the second largest distribution group in Malaysia, Governor Morita personally offered customers sweet potatoes, peanuts and strawberries grown in Chiba Prefecture, which proved to be very popular.

He also met with Aeon Co. (M) Managing Director Mary Chew, who agreed to hold a trial sales campaign for nashi from Chiba this summer. This was an outstanding feat.

A variety of new sweets made with the prefecture's products, developed jointly with a well-known local Japanese restaurant, were announced at a press conference. Malaysia's top model, Ms. Amber Chia, who visited Chiba Prefecture in 2013, also joined the occasion.

- Future work for Chiba Prefecture

Bringing tourists from Asia, which is in the midst of remarkable economic growth, and promoting the exports of products made in Chiba Prefecture are very important for energizing the prefecture's economy. Bearing this in mind, the Chiba Prefectural Government will make the most of the results of Governor Morita's recent visit and will follow up on them.