Report: 5th Japan–Brazil Dialogue on Agriculture and Food, Public–Private Joint Business Mission

Opening with remarks by Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Sakamoto, the event featured tastings of dishes prepared by local chefs using ingredients imported into São Paulo, as well as tastings of sake from Kumamoto. At the reception, dishes using scallops and Japanese oysters were served, reaffirming the importance of culinary exchange between Japan and Brazil. Our representative Nishida was introduced on stage as “Samurai Nishida” and served dishes alongside a Japanese Food Goodwill Ambassador.

As the only private Japanese company exhibiting, we ran two booths promoting “Kumamoto Products” and “Japan’s First Oysters in Brazil.” Minister Sakamoto also stopped by our booths and encouraged our efforts to spread Kumamoto products and Japanese oysters in Brazil.

Just before the event, Minister Sakamoto paid a courtesy visit to the Kumamoto Prefectural Association in São Paulo, followed by a social gathering. It was an occasion to feel the deep ties between the association and Kumamoto.

We exhibited and promoted sweets, nori, sauces, ramen, sake, and more. As a result, three sake makers and our original sauce reached trade agreements, and six products, including nori and sweets, have moved on to concrete negotiations. Sales have also started at local supermarkets.

We achieved the export of oysters from Hiroshima and Okayama, which were very well received at a local tasting event. This export marked an important step toward deeper culinary exchange between Japan and Brazil.

We visited a company that operates more than 300 supermarkets and convenience stores locally, offering local restaurants, trading companies, producers, and Japanese companies the opportunity to learn about its business systems and history. Many Kumamoto products using our export support program were on the shelves, making it a valuable opportunity to understand Brazilian market trends.

Our representative Nishida gave a lecture at a local school on the culture of Japan and other countries and the significance of our activities, also touching on opportunities to study and work in Japan. We also joined the 90th anniversary event of a Japanese-language school, deepening our ties with the community.