The Winners of the Minister's Awards for Overseas Promotion of Japanese Food
The Minister's Award for Overseas Promotion of Japanese Food is awarded to persons who have made outstanding contributions to the introduction and spread of Japanese cuisine, Japanese food and other Japanese agricultural and fishery products overseas. Its purpose is to further expand exports of Japanese agricultural, fishery and food products.
Past Award Winner’s Profiles
The Eighteenth Award Winner’s Profiles (FY2024)
María Alejandra Kano
Owner and chef of Japanese restaurant “Ichisou”
Japanese Cuisine Goodwill Ambassador
Masanori Tomikawa
HOTEL OKURA AMSTERDAM Japanese Restaurants
Manager and Executive Chef
Japanese Cuisine Goodwill Ambassador
Supported by
Intellectual Property Strategy Headquarters, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
The Seventeenth Award Winner’s Profiles (FY2023)
Seiichi Kashiwabara
Owner chef of “Zen Japanese Restaurant”
Japanese Cuisine Goodwill Ambassador
Hiroaki Karasawa
The Chairman of Japanese Cuisine Chef Club In Dalian
Dalian Shangrila Hotel Japanese Executive Chef
Culinary R&D Centre Dalian Head Chef
Honorary President, “KUMO” Association of Japanese Cuisine in Dalian
Japanese Cuisine Goodwill Ambassador
Hiroyuki Takeuchi
Owner chef of “Avila Tei”
Japanese Cuisine Goodwill Ambassador
Marinus Noordenbos
CEO of “Hokkai Suisan” and “Hokkai Kitchen”
Japanese Cuisine Goodwill Ambassador
The Sixteenth Award Winner’s Profiles (FY2022)
Telma Yuca Shimizu Shiraishi
Owner and chef of Japanese restaurant “Aizomê”
Japanese Cuisine Goodwill Ambassador
Paulo Morais
Owner and chef, Restaurant KANAZAWA
Japanese Cuisine Goodwill Ambassador
Daisuke Hayashi
Owner chef of the Japanese restaurant “Roketsu”
Deputy Chairman of Japanese Culinary Academy UK
Japanese Cuisine Goodwill Ambassador
Roger Ortuño Flamerich
Founder and Director, ComerJapones.com
Marketing Director, ISSé JAPAN
Japanese Cuisine Goodwill Ambassador
Takashi Watanuki
Second owner of Japanese Restaurant HANAYA
Japanese Cuisine Goodwill Ambassador
The Fifteenth Award Winner’s Profiles (FY2021)
Shiro Kashiba
Restaurant owner
(Sushi Kashiba and SHIRO KASHIBA SUSHI EXPRESS)
Japanese Cuisine Goodwill Ambassador
Takeyuki Suetsugu
Chairman,Chairperson,Seattle's Japanese Restaurant Association
Japanese Cuisine Goodwill Ambassador
Norio Tomida
Tokyokan owner
Recipient of The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays
Japanese Cuisine Goodwill Ambassador
Toshio Himuro
Chairman, Zen Foods Co., Ltd.
Chairman, Hong Kong Japanese Restaurant Association
Chair, Chamber for Promoting Japanese Food Imports in Hong Kong
Japanese Cuisine Goodwill Ambassador
The Fourteenth Award Winner’s Profiles (FY2020)
Hideki Kishimoto
Brand Chef for Ichibanboshi
Japanese Cuisine Goodwill Ambassador
Kensei Tomita
Owner of Japanese Restaurant Kotetsu
Japanese Cuisine Goodwill Ambassador
Tetsuya Wakuda
Owner Chef of Tetsuya's and Waku Ghin
Japanese Cuisine Goodwill Ambassador
The Thirteenth Award Winner’s Profiles (FY2019)
Aref Saade
Owner of Shogun Lounge Japanese restaurant
Owner of Tropical Bamboo that engages in the supply of Japanese food and the recruitment of ches
Treasure of Syndicate of Owners of Restaurants, Cafés, Night-Clubs, and Pastries in Lebanon
Takehiro Ohno
President and Representative Director OHNO SRL
Owner of Tienda OHNO
Japanese Cuisine Goodwill Ambassador
Teng Yu Di
Director and General Manager,Shenzhen Sinsanwa Japanese Food Product Limited
Chairperson, Shenzhen Japanese Restaurant Association
The Twelfth Award Winner’s Profiles (FY2018)
Masanori Shirakata
President, Shirakata Denshiro Shoten, Inc.
President, Den's Tea, Inc.
Minoru Hirazawa/Mami Hirazawa
President, Poporoya Srl.
President, Shiro Srl.
Representative Director, Poporoya Srl.
Representative Director, Shiro Srl.
Harumasa Murayama
Managing Director, Tokyo Food Co., Ltd.
Director, Japan Mart
Director, Tokyo Liquor
CEO, Nippon Food Supplies
The Eleventh Award Winner’s Profiles (FY2017)
Jean-Robert Pitte
President, Mission francaise du patrimoine et des cultures alimentaires（MFPCA）
Professor emeritus, Paris-Sorbonne University （University of Paris D.）
Joji Sugawara
Owner, Restaurant DARUMA,
SUSHI-ZEN,
Senior Adviser, the Nichiboku Kyokai(Mexican Japanese Association)
Tommy Cheung Yu Yan
Member, Executive Council of the HKSAR
Member, Legislative Council of the HKSAR
Chairman, Hong Kong Catering Industry Association
Honorary President, Hong Kong Japanese Food and Cuisine Association
Honorary President, The Hong Kong Food Council
Honorary President, Hong Kong Wine & Spirits Industry Coalition
Member of the University Council, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
The Tenth Award Winner’s Profiles (FY2016)
Zeng Bo
CEO of Shanghai Daling Food Co.,Ltd
CEO of Shanghai Nagashin-uoyichi Co.,Ltd
Vice Director of Japanese Cuisine Committee
Of China Hotel Association
Honorary President of ECMA
(Eite Catering Management Association)
The Nineth Award Winner's Profiles (FY2015)
Kinji Kobayashi
Deputy-General Manager & Executive Chef, Beijing Kurazen Co.,Ltd.
Director of the World Association of Chinese Cuisine
Shiu Ha May Choi
Managing Director of Sun Wah Japanese Food Ltd.
Managing Director of the Nishimura Japanese Restaurant chain group
Tetsuro Hama
Owner of So Restaurant, Owner of Sozai Cooking School
Chairman of Japanese Culinary Academy UK
Board Member of the Japan Society
The Eighth Award Winner's Profiles (FY2014)
Rie Yoshitake
UK-Japan communication expert, Sake Promoter
UK Liaison for Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association
UK representative for Sake Samurai Association
The Seventh Award Winner's Profiles (FY2013)
Reiko Jinyama
Japanese Bento/Catering Establishment ‘Jinya’ Catering Business Owner
The Sixth Award Winner's Profiles (FY2012)
The Fifth Award Winner's Profiles (FY2010)
The Fourth Award Winner's Profiles (FY2009)
Iwao Komiyama
Operator of "Iwao Sushi & Cuisine," a Japanese catering service and Japanese food consultancy
The Third Award Winner's Profiles (FY2008)
The Second Award Winner's Profiles (FY2007)
Hideo Dekura
Shijo-ryu (school of Japanese cuisine) master chef and Japanese cuisine specialist
Yoshikuni Kinebuchi
Owner of Japanese restaurants “Furinkazan” & “Restaurant Kei”
The First Award Winner's Profiles (FY2006)
Contact
Export Policy Planning Division
Export and International Affairs Bureau
Telephone: +81-3-3502-8111 (ext. 4156)
Direct line: +81-3-6744-0481
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