G7 Summit

Japan Firms Use G7 Summit to Promote Food, Drinks

The Japan News
Otafuku Sauce Co. employees make okonomiyaki pancakes at a press center for the Group of Seven summit in Hiroshima on Friday.

By Tomoko Hatakeyama / Japan News Staff Writer

17:40 JST, May 19, 2023

HIROSHIMA — As journalists worldwide flock to Hiroshima for the Group of Seven summit, Japanese food and beverage companies are taking the opportunity to promote their products.

At a press center near the summit’s main venue on Friday, various companies set up booths promoting sake, fruits, ramen and other Japanese products for journalists to sample.

The aroma that wafted from the booth of Hiroshima-based Otafuku Sauce Co. attracted a crowd as the company made okonomiyaki pancakes using its own sauce.

“I’ve never experienced this flavor, but this is so interesting,” said a French reporter who tasted the okonomiyaki. “I want to try it again.”

Otafuku Sauce, which currently exports its goods to 55 countries and regions hopes to expand its overseas sales channels by introducing its products at the summit.

“I hope many foreign journalists enjoy our okonomiyaki and report on it in their countries,” said Kosuke Hiraga, Division Manager of Otafuku Sauce’s International Business Department. “It will definitely give us great publicity.”