Spotlight on: Fukushima Food Pride

On Thursday 22 March 2018, Fukushima Prefecture held an event at the Embassy called "Fukushima Food Pride" for the promotion of agricultural produce from the region, and to express gratitude and appreciation for the aid and support given for the reconstruction and revitalization of Fukushima. Seven years have now passed since the area was affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake, and the nuclear accident which followed. Fukushima is famous for its agriculture but the industry suffered greatly after the earthquake and its aftermath. The Japanese government secured the safety of food produced in the region and the Director-General of the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) agreed with this assesment during his visit to Japan last May. 

In his opening address, Ambassador Tsuruoka thanked Mr Masao Uchibori, Governor of Fukushima Prefecture, for coming to the UK to show his appreciation to the many British people, from government to charities, who have lent their support to the people of Fukushima. He talked about the flourishing partnership between Fukushima and the UK and thanked the UK for supporting an evidence-based approach towards the safety of products from the region. The commerical sale of Fukushima rice in the UK finally went ahead in 2016 after it was found to meet EU regulations. The Ambassador added that "we have since seen a further lifting of import restrictions on rice and other products grown in the prefecture, and this has sent out a very positive message to the farmers and citizens living in the region".

In his speech, Governor Uchibori, mentioned a video that was shared on social media last December, showing Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Boris Johnson drinking a can of peach juice from Fukushima Prefecture. The video was widely shared and the Foreign Secretary's message to the world that products from Fukushima are safe and delicious was very encouraging to the people from the region. Governor Uchibori thanked everyone in the UK who has given their kind support over the last seven years.

He went on to discuss future plans for revitalization and the creation of new industries, such as an ambitious scheme to meet 100% of the prefecture's energy needs with renewable energy by 2040, and the focus on research and development into robotics – suited to many fields including disaster response, medical care, welfare and agriculture. He told the guests: "We have also built a large Robot Test Field as a development and testing centre for robots, which is the only facility of its kind in Japan. In 2020 it will host part of the World Robot Summit."

The Rt Hon. the Baroness D'Souza CMG, House of Lords, was invited to say a few words on behalf of the guests. Thanking the Ambassador and Governor for hosting the event, she emphasised the special bond between the two countries, and declared that Britain would always be ready to lend support to Japan.

Fukushima-born chef, Taiji Maruyama, the head chef of the well-known luxury Beaverbrook hotel, a country house in Surrey, prepared a delicious range of dishes for some 200 guests featuring rice, meat and peach products from Fukushima. The dishes, paired with award-winning sake (rice wine), also from the region.

During the reception, calligraphy artist and Fukushima resident Seiran Chiba delighted the guests with a live calligraphy demonstration. Ms Chiba produces original creations by painting characters, drawing inspiration from scenic settings and locations throughout Fukushima. In 2013 she became an official Tourism Ambassador for Fukushima.

For a more in-depth look at food from Fukushima, please refer to the following article from "We are Tomodachi" published last autumn: Fukushima Foods: Safe and Delicious