Japan's Culinary Challenge Goes Global: Japan Food Alliance (JFAL) Launches as Implementation Platform – Founding Commemorative Lecture Held on June 17

The Japan Food Alliance, General Incorporated Foundation (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President: Hirotsugu Kitagawa; hereinafter "JFAL") has launched as an implementation platform connecting all industries related to Japanese food and creating new global business opportunities. JFAL is newly established through the reorganization and evolution of the activities of the former Asia Food Business Association, General Incorporated Foundation.

To commemorate its launch, JFAL held the General Assembly Special Lecture "Next-Generation Infrastructure for Japan's Food Industry – A New Food Business Strategy in the Stablecoin Era" on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at Hollywood University Graduate School (Roppongi, Tokyo). Key players shaping the future of the food industry gathered for this event.

[Website] http://www.jfal.jp

Elevating Japanese Cuisine to a Global Common Value – Background of JFAL's Launch

Japanese cuisine is currently attracting strong global attention. Washoku has been inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list, and one of the top motivations for inbound tourists to Japan is "food." From producers' meticulously cultivated ingredients, to restaurant operators' craftsmanship and hospitality, to the advanced technological capabilities in food processing and machinery, the beauty of traditional crafts, and globally captivating content and entertainment—each industry surrounding Japanese food holds genuine value recognized worldwide.

JFAL aims to further expand the potential of Japanese food by consolidating these strengths. By connecting diverse players across industry boundaries, JFAL builds mechanisms for global expansion through collaboration that individual companies cannot achieve alone. More than just a networking organization, JFAL operates as an "implementation platform" that creates replicable models through proof-of-concept (PoC), standardization, and horizontal scaling, generating new business opportunities in both outbound (global expansion) and inbound (inbound tourism) markets.

Target sectors include restaurants, producers (agriculture, forestry, fisheries), processed food manufacturers, food tech and technology companies, food processing machinery manufacturers, traditional craft-based manufacturers, and entertainment/content industries—seven key fields. Furthermore, JFAL will promote the use of stablecoins as infrastructure to accelerate international expansion, particularly in areas such as remittances for foreign workers, payments with overseas partners, and streamlining international trade.

[Launch Overview] Name: Japan Food Alliance, General Incorporated Foundation Established: June 17, 2026 Headquarters: 11F, Aoyama Palace Tower, 3-6-7 Kitaaoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0061 Website: http://www.jfal.jp

Founding Commemorative Event and General Assembly Special Lecture – Restaurants × Web3 × National Strategy

To mark its launch, JFAL hosted the 11th Global Service Practice Seminar's General Assembly Special Lecture: "Next-Generation Infrastructure for Japan's Food Industry – A New Food Business Strategy in the Stablecoin Era." The event featured lectures by three speakers and a special cross-talk session titled "Can the Food Industry Become Next-Generation Infrastructure? – Restaurants × Web3 × National Strategy." Following the lectures, a networking reception allowed speakers and attendees to exchange ideas directly, fostering active discussions on the internationalization of the food industry.

[Event Overview] Name: 11th Global Service Practice Seminar – General Assembly Special Lecture "Next-Generation Infrastructure for Japan's Food Industry – A New Food Business Strategy in the Stablecoin Era" Date and Time: Wednesday, June 17, 2026, 17:00–20:30

Venue: 7th Floor Seminar Hall, Hollywood University Graduate School (6-4-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Roppongi Hills Hollywood Beauty Plaza)

Organizer: Japan Food Alliance

Co-organizer: Hollywood University Graduate School

Supporting Organizations: Japan Hospitality Promotion Association, Japan Food Service Organizations Federation

Speaker Profiles

Hirotsugu Kitagawa (President, JFAL): Member of the Council, Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO). Joined Japan External Trade Organization (then JETRO) in 1989. Held various positions including London Center, Director of Global Marketing in the Overseas Research Department, Director of the Service Industries Division, and Chief of the Hanoi Office, before becoming a JETRO Director. Since 2021, has served as an Executive Officer at the Japan Food Overseas Promotion Center (JFOODO).

Kanji Nakai (Chief Director, JFAL): Representative Director and President, Chibou Co., Ltd. Vice President, Japan Food Service Association; Executive Director, Japan Food Service Organizations Federation; Former President, Osaka Food Service Industry Association.

Seiho Yoshida: Representative Director and CEO, HashPort Inc.; Director, Japan Crypto Asset Business Association.

President Hirotsugu Kitagawa's Statement

"Japan's food industry possesses strengths in quality, technology, and heartfelt hospitality. The Japan Food Alliance is committed to delivering the value and potential of Japanese food to the world and contributing to a sustainable and prosperous future. We will collaborate with diverse stakeholders, expanding a circle of trust and co-creation, to address global food challenges. Together with all of you, we aim to connect the world through food and create the future—one step at a time."

About the Japan Food Alliance, General Incorporated Foundation

JFAL is a general incorporated foundation that aims to elevate Japanese food to a shared global value under the vision of "Connecting the World Through Food, Creating the Future." Beyond restaurants, JFAL connects all industries related to Japanese food—including production, processing, technology, culture, and content—to create new global business opportunities.

[Organization Overview] Name: Japan Food Alliance, General Incorporated Foundation

Headquarters: 11F, Aoyama Palace Tower, 3-6-7 Kitaaoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0061

President: Hirotsugu Kitagawa

Chief Director: Kanji Nakai

Established: June 17, 2026

Business Activities: Creating business opportunities in both overseas expansion and inbound tourism through cross-sector collaboration in food-related industries; promoting proof-of-concept, standardization, and horizontal scaling; building infrastructure for payments, logistics, human resources, and more.

Website: http://www.jfal.jp

[Inquiries Regarding This Release]

Japan Food Alliance, General Incorporated Foundation Secretariat

TEL: 03-5778-7600 Email: [email protected]