Hosted in Ark Hills, the popular international business and entertainment district in the heart of Roppongi, the Global Neighborhood Kitchen brought together the most inspiring food, drink, and traditional crafts discovered throughout the year, personally selected by JLIC producers, and combined with Tokyo chefs, food educators, and regional food and craft producers. Preceded by a panel discussion outlining the the year's accomplishments and goals for JLIC in the coming year, this two-part annual event paints an entirely new, and very bright, picture of what's coming in Japan's world of food and community design.
Kaoru Shibata, Naoko Tsunoda (Nippon GO!), Machiko Tateno (Chef, Fermented Food and Cuisine Specialist, Food Author), Ritsu Yamada (Gyokusendo Bronze Works), Tatsuaki Hirota (Hirota Glass), Masakazu Matsunaga (Coedo Beer), Fukushimaya Tasting Market

While largely considered to be the Napa Valley of Japan's sake industry, Niigata is still working hard in order to increase the region's international recognition, while at the same time striving to create a unique model of tourism that makes use of the area's vast local resources. This one-time-only tour positioning sake at the forefront was developed in collaboration with JLIC advisors, test running its potential for regular operation with international visitors and guests.
Toshiro Takatsuka (Takatsuka Farm), Murayu Sake Brewery, Yasue Morohashi (Morohashi Yajiro Farm), Tatsunori Ishimoto (Ishimoto Sake Brewery), Hirofumi Miyao (Miyao Farm), Heikichi Yamamoto (Imanotsukasa Sake Brewery), Atsushi Yokoyama (Marui Sushi), Masaru Tazawa (Taiyo Sake Brewery), Shoei Homma (Farmer)

With awareness surrounding the Yamanashi region ever-growing throughout the wine world, Japan's wine country continues to struggle in developing a model of local tourism utilizing this unique brand and its related resources.

Working together with wine and agricultural producers, as well as independent operators that have been instrumental in spearheading the wine tourism movement in the region, this two-day JLIC program examined how the region might go about developing a model of wine-related tourism incorporating local culture and resources in a way that might not only meet the demands of international wine lovers, but also create something unique which could turn Yamanashi into a must-visit wine destination that offers a Japan-unique experience that can't be duplicated.
Takayuki Sasamoto (Sasamoto Kankyo Office Ltd.), Susumu Tanaka (Salad Bowl Company), Hiroshi Furuya (FT Yamanashi Inc.), Shinya Tsuruta (ST Company Ltd.)

As the forestry industry struggles, local producers are working to develop new ways of utilizing this valuable natural resource. Okutama, uniquely positioned as 'Tokyo's Forest,' means that it's relatively accessible, while at the same time provides a desireable resource severely lacking in Japan's thriving metropolis. This particular program brought a team of individuals involved in branding and promoting Japan's local resources and rural appeal to non-Japanese audiences and overseas markets. For this one-day session, the JLIC team worked together with local players involved in maintaining and developing this precious local resource, examining the potential for re-designing Tokyo's forest in ways that would allow the region to delve into new forms of tourism, product design, and regional development with non-Japanese communities and visitors in mind.
Hiroto Abe, Keishi Nishihara, Shiho Kanai, Kazutoshi Sugawara (Tokyo Forest & Ichiba Inc.); Yasuo Kimura (Forestry Specialist); Yasuyo Yamazaki (Mountain and Forest Property Owner)

A social media venture developed in collaboration with the Iine! JAPAN Project designed to raise international awareness of the largely undiscovered and underutilized community-centric destinations throughout Japan, utilizing the platform as a key tool for generating interest in the potential for "social excursions" as a unique model for developing tourism and related business.

Website :
http://iine-japan.f-navigation.jp/social-excursions-japan/
Facebook :
https://www.facebook.com/SocialExcursionsJapan

Designed to present Japan's local food culture to a diverse population in the heart of Tokyo as interpreted and reinterpreted through the eyes of non-Japanese food producers in collaboration with Japan's local growers and creators, the event brought together an eclectic and passionate group of professionals from various countries and regions throughout Japan seeking new ideas for sharing Japan's local food culture and opportunities for collaboration and further develop- ment of the JLIC program in 2013.
Kamo-kiritansu (Ishimoku Co., Ltd.), Kiso Lacquerware (Ito Kanji Shoten Ltd.), Edo Kiriko (Horiguchi Kiriko Co., Ltd.), Inden (Inden no Yamamoto Ltd.), Tsukuba Ham Ltd., Koshu Wine (Marufuji Winery, Lumiere Co., Ltd.), Snow Peak Inc.

An excursion emphasizing the unique elements of Niigata's food culture, this particular Travel Restaurant tour brought five non-Japanese JLIC members to Niigata in order to spend time interacting with local farmers, sake brewers, and the local community in a variety of settings with food and related culture making up the center of the experience. Each new encounter sparked lively discussions brimming with unique insight into the region's untapped potential.
Hirofumi Miyao (Miyao Nouen ‒ Farmer), Haruki Ikegami (Restaurant La Cachette d'ike ‒ Chef), Heikichi Yamamoto (Imayotsukasa Shuzo Co., Ltd. ‒ 9th Generation Sake Brewer), Masaru Tazawa (Taiyo Syuzo Co., Ltd. ‒ Head Brewmaster), Goushi Iijima (Fujimien ‒ Tea Specialist)

Hosted in cooperation with Shinnichiya in the heart of Tokyo, this initial gathering brought together a group of non-Japanese professionals involved in producing Japan's cultural resources. Providing the attendees with a chance to go hands-on with traditional instruments while donning iconic Japanese kimono, the group dove into a deep discussion on Japan's potential for compet- ing on a global stage by utilizing cultural resources unique to rural areas in order to develop and support struggling countryside regions.
Shinnichiya Ltd.