President of Yamazaki Baking Co., Ltd.
Yamazaki Baking Company, the largest baked goods manufacturer in Japan, which produces about 25% of all bread made in Japan. Yamazaki Baking is one of the largest end-users of U.S. agricultural products in Japan, particularly flour, raisins, walnuts, cheese, and other dried fruits and nuts. Among Yamazaki’s many affiliates are Baskin-Robbins 31, Tohato, Nabisco Yamazaki, and Fujiya, as well as 107,000 retail stores. Mr. Iijima currently serves as Chairman of the Japan Bread Manufacturers Association.
Dr. Yukio Hattori
President of Hattori Nutrition College
He is a famous chef, television personality, and cooking school teacher, and was nominated for his continual support for the activities of FAS Japan and U.S. cooperators through his public remarks about U.S. cooking, food and agriculture.
Ms. Yuko Tanemoto
President of Vinos Yamazaki Co., Ltd.
Yuko Tanemoto of Vinos Yamazaki has actively promoted U.S. wines in Japan for over 20 years. She imports directly from 20 different U.S. wineries and recently decided to import and sell U.S. artisanal cheeses in her 25 wine outlets throughout Japan.
Mr. Kazuo Julian Tagawa
President of TANTO Corporation
Julian Tagawa has helped develop the U.S. dried fruit and tree nuts market in Japan. He was the first to start importing U.S. raisins to the market in 1976, and expanded his line of U.S. items to include prunes, walnuts, pistachios and canned fruits. 2016 will mark his 40th year in the U.S. agricultural trade business.
Mr. Kazutaka Kato
President of Japan Foodservice Association
Mr. Kato is President of an association that represents the large and influential food service industry in Japan. He has continually helped promote U.S. agricultural products to his members, after the Japanese market closed to U.S. beef in 2004, he and his members helped encourage the Japanese government to resume trade in U.S. beef products.
President of Japan Agricultural Exchange Council (JAEC)
Mr. Ishii is the president of JAEC, which has provided young Japanese farmers with opportunities to receive farm training in the United States for over 60 years. JAEC has approximately 25,000 former and current trainees as its members. Many of the former trainees play an active role in Japan’s agricultural sector, and some former trainees returned to the U.S and became successful farm operators. JAEC often helps the U.S. Embassy organize farm tours for visiting U.S. farmers, political delegations, business representatives, and researchers.
