Dear International Fugu Association members,
In Japan, with the decrease in coronavirus outbreaks, business activities at schools, restaurants, and entertainment-related facilities and domestic travels have been lifted, and economic activity is returning.
Of course, you must be careful in sales while preventing coronavirus infection.
In August, the Japanese government will start the Go To campaign, which will cover up to 20,000 yen per night for travel expenses, so I hope the economic activity will return to life.
The International Fugu Association did not waste three months of self-restraint.
We have reviewed the plan many times.
Details are given below, but there is one announcement.
Mr. Susumu Kaneda, Chairman of Kaneko Sangyo Co., Ltd., who has served as a director of IFA, has retired.
We would like to express our sincere appreciation for his service as the director from the beginning of our activities. Thank you, Mr. Kaneda, for all the help you have given us.
I would like to ask Mr. Tomomi Kimura, new President of Kaneko Sangyo Co., Ltd., to continue serving as an IFA director. We are grateful for your support and cooperation.
①The International Seafood Show Tokyo from September 30 to October 2 will be held as scheduled.
Although the final confirmation has not yet to come, all the staff are making preparations with enthusiasm.
Once Japan and other nations lift overseas travel restrictions, the Seafood Show Tokyo will be the first large-scale international trade event in the post-coronavirus scare. It will be a significant program to demonstrate Japan's recovery from the pandemic.
We are also looking forward to seeing the first group exhibition of the blowfish industry as one team.
②Promotion in Singapore
After last year's Fugu study session in Singapore, SFA showed its intention to consider importing "shirako (milt), skin, and fins" only for farmed Fugu. The Japanese government has been concerned with the wild Fugu dealers, but it is now preparing to distribute a questionnaire to the major Fugu dealers nationwide.
IFA extended assistance to it, but there is no doubt that nobody will oppose the export of Japanese Fugu.
Regarding the invitation-type and overseas promotions planned for fiscal 2020, it is judged that the invitation-type promotion, not limited to Fugu, may not be feasible due to the relationship with other countries.
I look forward to it in the next fiscal year.
The situation in Singapore is the number one issue when it comes to traveling.
As of June 15, there are 40,818 infected persons, 26 dead persons, and foreign nationals are prohibited from entering the country in principle.
Unfortunately, the other day someone made a travel request from Japan to Singapore, but it seems that it was refused.
In Singapore, measures for circuit breakers (shutting down actions) were taken,
Although the government strictly controlled the residents' going out, a mass infection occurred in a facility called dormitory, where workers were concentrated. The number of infected people increased at the level of several hundred people every day, which became a problem.
At present, economic activities are gradually permitted, and it seems that the restaurant has been restricted to 5 people per group.
So when would the promotion of Japanese Fugu be allowed in Singapore?
We would like to observe the situation.
③Promotion in Malaysia
Let's promote Japanese Fugu to Malaysia!!!
In response to the voice, we decided to consult with JETRO and the Japan Aquatic Products Export Council.
To everyone's knowledge, Fugu is a poisonous fish, and a large part of the world prohibits it. Still, Malaysia is the only free trade commerce where all parts of Fugu (muscles, milt, skins, and fins) currently recognized as edible in Japan are allowed.
By all means, we want to establish the market in Malaysia and showcase the Japanese culinary culture of Fugu to the neighboring countries! With that in mind, we would like to take action.
④Others subjects.
In order to approach other countries towards lifting the import ban on Fugu, we cooperated with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries' investigation in the import regulation of Fugu in other countries.
Let us continue to recognize that Japanese blowfish is an important fish for the government's goal of expanding exports.
The International Fugu Association will do its best to realize someday when Japan's Fugu will expand the market to the world.
Thank you for your continued support.
That's it for this newsletter.