Japan MAFF’s Initiative to Support Fresh & Delicious Japanese Food in Singapore
March 08, 2018
Japan is known for many things — rich culture, great people and fresh delicious food. Japan’s produce are excellent, and you will never catch the Japanese serving subpar sashimi or produce that are not fresh.
We attended the official reception for MAFF’s support on Japanese Food and Ingredients Supporter Stores Overseas at InterContinental Singapore, where the Japanese’ pride and love for their culture was evident. Organised by Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), this event seeks to explain the certification of Japanese food and ingredient supporter stores overseas. Special guests at the event included Mr Takaaki Nasu, 2nd Secretary of the Japan embassy. He spoke and explained the importance of preserving Japanese food culture, and explained more about this initiative by Japan’s MAFF.
We also got to taste delicious Japanese food prepared by Chef Takahashi, who flew in specially from Kyoto to cook wonderful dishes such as seasoned Ankimo (monkfish liver) salad with edible chrysanthemum, Grilled tilefish with Japanese botargo (salted mullet roe), Matsuba crab and cod roe with crab miso and finally, ‘Ebi imo’ rice with eel. In each dish, what stood out most was the freshness and authenticity of the ingredients, along with the clean flavours in the food.
Japan’s MAFF aims to support and encourage restaurants to use Japanese ingredients. This is because the number of Japanese restaurants located overseas has drastically increased by approximately 60% from an estimated 55,000 in 2013 to 89,000 by July 2015. They have thus become an important source of overseas demand for Japanese supplies of agricultural, marine and food products. Therefore, MAFF has decided to establish “Guidelines” for the certification of Japanese food and ingredient supporter stores overseas. This is so that private entities can voluntarily be certified as overseas food establishments and retail stores which support food ingredients produced in Japan, by actively using these ingredients. This would, as a result, expand overseas demand and promote the export of such products.
Miss Tam Chiak is honoured to be the official ambassador for MAFF. Now, to help those interested in understanding more about the certification of Japanese food and ingredient supporter stores in Singapore, we have compiled a list of FAQs:
Q: Who is this certification organised by?
A: It is organised by Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF).
Q: Why is certification important?
A: Not only would this ensure the preservation of Japanese food culture, those who have been certified by the MAFF stand to regularly receive support such as distribution of information regarding food ingredients, gaining more recognition etc.
Q: Why should I apply or what are the perks of applying for this certificate from Japan’s MAFF (If I sell/am a supporter of Japanese products)?
A: See above answer
Q: How long will this certification (certificate of Japanese food and ingredient supporter stores overseas) last?
A: The term of this certification lasts 2 years. Upon expiration, the certification shall be renewed after confirming the situation of complying the Guidelines (see answer for next question).
Q: What are the requirements for certification?
A:
Cases of eating and drinking establishments –
A. Use of food ingredients and alcoholic beverages produced in Japan
(i) Meals using food ingredients produced in japan shall always be offered
(ii) Alcoholic beverages produced in Japan shall be offered as a speciality shop
B. Display of the fact that food ingredients, and alcoholic beverages produced in Japan are on the food menu
(i) The fact that food ingredients are produced in Japan shall be displayed in the meal menu etc (eg. produced in Japan, Wagyu produced in XXX prefecture in Japan, Koshihikari rice produced in Japan etc.)
(ii) The fact that alcoholic beverages are produced in Japan shall be displayed on the drink menu etc. (eg. Japanese sake, Japanese sake (produced in XXX sake brewery in XXX prefecture))
C. Promotion efforts to customers
(i) The appeals and the characteristics of food ingredients, and alcoholic beverages produced in Japan shall be promoted to customers while serving them
Cases of retail stores –
A. Cases of food ingredients produced in Japan
(i) Food ingredients produced in Japan shall always be sold.
(ii) The fact that food products are produced in Japan is displayed on the shelf on which ingredients produced in Japan is displayed on the shelf on which food ingredients produced in Japan are placed (eg. produced in Japan, produced in XXX prefecture in Japan).
(iii) The appeals and the characteristics of food ingredients produced in Japan shall be promoted to customers.
B. Cases of alcoholic beverages produced in Japan
(i) Alcoholic beverages produced in Japan shall always be sold
(ii) The fact that alcoholic beverages are produced in Japan is displayed on the shelf were alcoholic beverages produced in Japan are displayed (eg. produced in Japan, produced in XXX prefecture in Japan).
(iii) The appeals and the characteristics of alcoholic beverages produced in Japan shall be promoted to customers.
Q: How will people know if I have been certified a Japanese food and ingredient supporter store?
A: You will receive a certification logo which you can paste in your stall or restaurant. It will look like this:
Q: How do I apply for my stall/restaurant to be certified?
A: If you wish to apply for certification, please send an e-mail with “Application for Supporter Store Certification” in the subject line to JETRO (afa-supporter@jetro.go.jp). They will then reply by sending the application form.
As of now, here is the current list of restaurants that have been certified by MAFF:
1. Himawari Japanese Restaurant
Address: 991B Alexandra Road #01-08/09 Singapore 119970
Website: https://www.facebook.com/HimawariJapanese/
2. Sandaime Mikoto Singapore
Address: 60 Robertson Quay, #01-12 The Quayside Singapore 238252
Website: http://mikoto.sg/
3. Niku Katsumata
Address: 47 Duxton Rd, Singapore 089511
Website: http://www.niku-katsumata.com/
4. Hokkaido Restaurant THE HITSUJI CLUB
Address: 65 Circular Road Singapore 049419
Website: http://www.the-hitsuji-club.com/
5. Okinawan Diner Nirai – Kanai
Address: 177 River Valley Road, #B1-01 Liang Court, 179030
Website: http://niraikanai-sg.hungry.jp/
6. Ramen Matsuri
Address: 7 North Canal Road, 048820
Website: http://ramenmatsuri.com/
7. Fish Mart SAKURAYA
Address: Multiple Outlets
Website: http://www.sakuraya.com.sg
8. RISTRANTE TAKADA
Address: 356 Alexsandra Road, #01-07 Alexis
Website: https://ristorante-takada.sg/
9. Tomi Sushi
Address: Multiple Outlets
Website: http://www.tomisushi.asia/
10. Yakitori Yatagarasu
Address: 72 Circular Road #01-01, 049426
Website: https://www.facebook.com/yatagarasu72/
11. Ramen Bar Suzuki
Address: 61 Circular Road Singapore
Website: https://www.facebook.com/RamenBarSuzukiSG
12. Ramen Dining Suzuki
Address: 17 Stanley St, Singapore 068736
Website: https://www.facebook.com/SuzukiStanley/
13. Hakata Japanese Restaurant
Address: 1 West Coast Drive, #01-93/70 NEWest, 128020
Website: http://www.hakatarestaurant.com
14. Hokkaido ramen Santouka
Address: Multiple Outlets
Website: https://www.santouka.co.jp/en/shop-foreigin/singapore/foreign05-001
15. Takumi Restaurant
Address: 2 Keppel Bay Vista, 098382
Website: https://takumirestaurants.com/
16. Beard Papa’s
Address: Plaza Singapura B2 Floor, 68 Orchard Road
Website: https://www.muginoho.com/
17. Chikuyoutei
Address: Multiple Outlets
Website: https://singapore.intercontinental.com/dine-drink/chikuyotei
18. Satsuma Hayato Singapore
Address: 16 Enggor Street #01-01 ALTEZ
Website: https://www.facebook.com/satsuma.shimuja/
19. Ootoya
Address: Multiple Outlets
Website: https://www.ootoya.com.sg/
20. Fugetsu
Address: 3 Temasek Boulevard, Suntec City Mall Tower 1 North Wing #03-316, Singapore 038983
Website: https://fugetsu.jp/en/
21. Tendon Kohaku
Address: 3 Temasek Boulevard, Suntec City Mall #03-310/311, Singapore 038983
Website: https://www.facebook.com/kohaku.tempura/
22. Hokkaido Marche
Address: 181 Orchard Road, Orchard Central #B2-11 to 29, 44 to 28, Singapore 238896
Website: https://www.hokkaidomarche.com.sg/
23. Nadai Fujisoba NI-HACHI
Address: 100 Tras St, #03-14 100AM Mall, Singapore 079027
Website: https://www.facebook.com/FujiSoba-Singapore-326049881100556/
24. Maguro Donya
Address: 3 Temasek Blvd, Suntec City Mall #03-310-316, Singapore 038983
Website: http://magurodonya.com/
25. Suage Hokkaido Soup Curry
Address: 13 Stamford Rd, #B2-53 Capitol Piazza, Singapore 178905
Website: https://www.suageasia.com/
26. Sandaime Bunji
Address: 9 Raffles Blvd, Millenia Walk #01-14/15, Singapore 039596
Website: https://www.facebook.com/SandaimeBunji
27. TAKADA Grill & Bar
Address: 5 Wallich St, #01-12, Singapore 078883
Website: https://www.facebook.com/Takada-GrillBar-324961321423452/
28. Oh Some Bowls
Address: 8 Wilkie Road #01-04 Wilkie Edge, Singapore 228095
Website: https://www.facebook.com/ohsomebowls/
29. Morinaga
Address: 220 Orchard Road #B1-08 Mid point Orchard, Singapore 238852
Website: https://www.facebook.com/Morinaga.Eco.Rice/
30. Shiki SG
Address: Order Online
Website: https://shiki.sg/
31. Ajisen
Address: Multiple Outlets
Website: https://www.ajisen.com.sg/
32. Caffe B
Address: 64 Club St, Singapore 069438
Website: https://www.caffebsg.com/
33. Chef Yamashita
Address: Blk 1 Tanjong Pagar Plaza, #02-44, Singapore 082001
Website: https://chefyamashita.com/
34. Hakata Ikkousha
Address: Blk 7 Tanjong Pagar Plaza #01-104B, Singapore 081007
Website: https://www.ikkousha.com/englis/
35. L’Operetta & ECHIZEN
Address: 7 Boon Tat St, Singapore 069614
Website: http://www.operettacornerbar.sg/
36. Luka ITALIAN-DINING/PIZZA/BAR
Address: 18 Tg Pagar Rd, Singapore 088441
Website: https://www.ristoranteluka.com/
37. 紋寿司 Monzushi
Address: 13 Neil Rd, Singapore 088810
Website: http://www.monzushi.com/
38. Snaffles
Address: 10 Anson Road #02-85A, International Plaza, 079903
Website: http://www.snaffles.jp/english/
39. やきとり八咫烏 Yatagarasu
Address: 72 Circular Rd, #01-01, Singapore 049426
Website: https://www.facebook.com/yatagarasu72/
40. Imakatsu
Address: 1 Vista Exchange Green, 01-17, Singapore 138617
Website: http://ophd.com.sg/imakatsu/
41. Shabu Shabu Gyu Jin & Yakiniku Heijoen
Address: Multiple Outlets
Website: https://www.facebook.com/Heijoensgofficial/ AND https://www.facebook.com/GyujinShabuShabuAndSukiyaki/
42. Ginza LION
Address: 3 Temasek Boulevard, #01-649/650, Tower 4, Suntec City Mall, 038983
Website: http://www.sapporolionsg.com.sg/lion/
For those interested in finding out more about this initiative by Japan’s MAFF, do head over to:
https://www.jetro.go.jp/en/trends/foods/supporter.html
This post was brought to you by Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
