The Japanese External Trade Organization (JETRO) is tasked with improving trade and investment between Japan and the rest of the world. Here in the Philippines, one of its more regular and visible initiatives has been promoting Japanese food and beverages. This coincides nicely with the continued popularity of Japanese cuisine and the increase in quality eating establishments offering it.

To launch the new Go! Japanese Seafood program, a simple event was held at Discovery Primea, which turned into a chef’s convention mixed with a media gathering. It was fun, informative, and filled with great food.

Noted importers of Japanese F&B were present. Hightower had displays of fresh oysters, scallops, Katsu crab, and sake. Dough and Grocer offered a quality sashimi plate of maguro (tuna) and shima aji (striped mackerel). Sikat Araw had unagi plates ready for our enjoyment. Discovery Primea offered its own selection of passed-around food.

Super cute was the JETRO speaker, who would cheer every time she mentioned the slogan "Go! Japanese Seafood," emphasizing the exclamation point. Japanese seafood is high quality, delicious, and safe. These were the most important takeaways from the enjoyable, food-laden afternoon.