Japan

Exports and Imports Japan is 5 th largest importer/exporter Included are: –Fish, seafood, animal, meat products, fats and oils, dairy, eggs, honey, fresh fruits and vegetables, grains and baked products, sugar, cocoa, beverages and water, prepared foods, and spices

Exports Fish and animal products = 40% Processed foods, bakery products, and grains = 15% Beverages = 8% Import raw materials which add to exporting value

Imports Half of imports are fish and meat products 23% imports are grains and baked goods 8% of the imports are fruits and vegetables

Radiation Tornado and tsunami caused radiation leak Food is being tested for radiation –Concerns about exports and imports –Spinach, lettuce, tomatoes, strawberries, celery, melons, milk, eggs, some fish and many other vegetables and fresh produce

Geography/Weather Japan is an island country –4 main islands –Thousands of others Covered with heavily forested mountains Little of the area is suitable for agriculture, about 15%

Continued Seafood is common and so is seaweed Rainy season is important for growing rice Over 400 types of fruits and vegetables Traditionally, only one rice crop in Northeastern Japan

Culinary habits Japanese eat on cushions and use chopsticks at every meal It’s expected to slurp your noodles when eating because it’s a sign that you’re enjoying your food

Japanese Culture

Cooking Methods Tempura Sashimi Fugu Sashimi Sukiyaki Yakitori Nimonu

Popular Foods Rice Noodles Soy Products Bamboo Shoots Ginger Sushi Fresh Ingredients

Japanese Spices and Seasonings Beni-shouga Shouga Gari Hashouga Myouga Wasabi Yuzu

Japan’s Food Guide Pyramid

Japan VS. America Japan Vegetables: 5-6 servings Fruits: 2 servings Grain: 5-7 servings Dairy: 2 servings Meat: 3-5 servings Fats: “in moderation” United States 4 servings minimum 3 servings 4-8 servings 2-3 servings 2-3 servings = 6oz 3-5 servings

History of Japanese Cuisine Past influences recently coming together Rice Soy Beans and Wheat Religion Sushi New Year’s Feast

Japanese Customs Table Manners If you’re with a dinner party and receive drinks, you should wait before raising the glass to your lips. Everyone is served and someone then will make a speech, raise his drink, and yell “kampai!” In restaurants you will receive a wet cloth, use this to wash your hands before eating, carefully fold it and set it aside on the table afterward, do not use it as a napkin, or to touch any part of your face. Slurping noodles or making loud noises while eating is acceptable, slurping hot food is polite to show you’re enjoying it You may raise bowls to your mouth to make it easier to eat with chopsticks, especially bowls of rice. Just before eating, whether it be a seven-course dinner or a sample at a supermarket, it’s polite to say “itadakimasu” (I will receive).

Japanese Customs Facts Before entering a house, most businesses, and hotels you should remove your shoes Kimonos are Japanese dress, usually very expensive and made of silk, a yukata is a more informal type of attire made of cotton.

Japanese Religion Buddhism & Shinto Most people in Japan aren’t very religious, most religious rituals take place at birth, weddings, or funerals. The Japanese have shrines and temples that may be visited for a New Year

Japanese Food Food Theme Parks Food theme parks specializes in one type of food and give visitors the opportunity to taste various versions of that dish in one place Located indoors The food is prepared by well thought-of restaurants. Some locations are in Tokyo and Yokohama

Shinyokohama Raumen Museum

Ice Cream City

Jiyugaoka Sweets Forest

Japanese Food Most commonly fish are used in Japanese meals compared to many other animals, however beef, pork, and chicken are also used in the Japanese diet. Animals

Japanese Food Don’t insert your chopsticks into the rice bowl and leave it there for any reason, it’s considered a very "bad omen” Picking up food for someone else and putting it on their plate is also considered a “bad omen” because it reminds the Japanese of funeral and cremation actions Taboos