Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries had appointed three New Zealand-based Japanese Cuisine Goodwill Ambassadors.
The role of the ambassadors is to promote Japanese cuisine and Japanese food culture. There are 173 Japanese Cuisine Goodwill Ambassadors around the world, however, this is the first time anyone has been appointed from New Zealand.
The appointees are Chef-Owner of Cocoro Restaurant, Mr Tokuyama Makoto; New Zealand representative for Daikoku Restaurant Group, Mr Narita Yoshiji; and Chef-Owner of Kinji Japanese Restaurant, Mr Hamada Kinji. They were selected based on their achievements in promoting Japanese cuisine and their ability to disseminate information domestically within, and internationally from, New Zealand.
