European Union to Launch Special Taste Experience Booth for EU Products at 'MEAT & CHEERS FUKUOKA'

The European Union (EU) will sponsor the food festival 'MEAT & CHEERS FUKUOKA', held at Fukuoka Daimyo Garden City Park from September 17 (Thu) to 27 (Sun), 2026, and will operate a special tasting booth for EU food products for three days only, from September 19 (Sat) to 21 (Mon, national holiday). At the EU booth, visitors can sample premium products such as cheese, olive oil, and chocolate, while experiencing the high quality, authenticity, and rich culinary traditions of Europe.

'MEAT & CHEERS FUKUOKA' is an urban food festival that combines Fukuoka’s vibrant food culture with live music. In this lively setting, the EU booth will showcase the safety, sustainability, quality, and authentic appeal of EU food products through tasting experiences. Additionally, visitors to the EU booth can enjoy interactive activities such as the roulette-style game 'Wheel of EU Flavours' and a lucky draw event to further engage with the flavors of Europe.

<Promotional video: https://www.instagram.com/p/Dc_D7SiT4_g/>

Overview of the EU Booth at 'MEAT & CHEERS FUKUOKA'

Event name: MEAT & CHEERS FUKUOKA

Dates: September 17 (Thu) – September 27 (Sun), 2026

Venue: Fukuoka Daimyo Garden City Park (2-6-50 Daimyo, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture)

Opening hours: Weekdays 17:00–21:00 (last order 20:30), Weekends and holidays 12:00–21:00 (last order 20:30)

EU Booth operating hours: September 19 (Sat) and 20 (Sun): 12:00–21:00; September 21 (Mon, holiday): 17:00–21:00

Booth location: Booth No. 8

This sponsorship of 'MEAT & CHEERS FUKUOKA' is part of the EU's 'The Perfect Match' campaign, a food and beverage promotion initiative targeting the Japanese market. The campaign highlights the compatibility between EU food and drink products and Japanese food culture, emphasizing their quality, authenticity, safety, and sustainability.

About the 'The Perfect Match' Campaign

'The Perfect Match' is a promotional campaign by the EU aimed at Japanese consumers and food industry professionals. It showcases the distinctive qualities of EU food and beverages—quality, authenticity, safety, and sustainability. Through tastings, events, seminars, and social media, the campaign demonstrates how EU food and drink naturally complement Japanese cuisine and dining tables.

By highlighting shared values such as craftsmanship, authenticity, and high production standards, the campaign encourages the creation of new culinary pairings and aims to increase awareness and appreciation of EU food products in Japan.

Follow Instagram (@foodmatcheu) and use the hashtag #FoodMatchEU to explore the charm and creative ideas around EU products.

About the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA)

The 'The Perfect Match' campaign was launched following the entry into force of the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) in February 2019. Under the EPA, the elimination and reduction of tariffs, along with more transparent regulatory frameworks, have boosted trade between Japan and the EU, creating new business opportunities for companies on both sides. Japan is one of the EU’s key trading partners, with European companies exporting approximately €70 billion in goods and €28 billion in services to Japan annually.