Known for its insistence on hygiene and its taste, Japanese cuisine is popular all over the world.
In a bid to make the local food more popular, Japan's All Nippon Airlines (ANA) has been trying to promote Japanese local food and culture through its project 'Taste of Japan'.
Recently, the airlines introduced the food from Fukuoka prefecture, which will be served on board and at the airport.
The dishes include a steak of a specialty meat and a simple rice bowl dish, which is going to be served for first class customers on some of the international flights.
Also on the palate will be red grainy food on rice called "Mentaiko", a spicy Alaska Pollack roe.
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"Mentaiko is a signature food of Hakata, a city of Fukuoka. We will strongly promote it," said Naoto Takada, GM, Fukuoka Sales Office, All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd.
Mentaiko, a dish made of fish eggs, is rich in nutrients. It was introduced years ago by the Japanese, who dipped Alaska Pollack Roe in a spicy sauce and sold it.
There are many different tastes of Mentaiko available in Japan.
The dish is going to be recognized in foreign countries. Fukuya, a company preparing Mentaiko dish is providing training to foreign students.
"We are providing training to students from Taiwan. They love to eat Mentaiko and are ready to make it popular in Taiwan," said Toshihiko Soh, Public Relations Officer, Fukuya Co., Ltd.
Japan, the host of 2020 Olympics, is hosting a number of sporting events. Recently, the fifth round of the ITU World Triathlon Series took place in Yokohama city.
The World Triathlon Series is the pinnacle race series for the Olympic sport of triathlon. The race in Yokohama marks the midpoint in the Series, and features the world's top athletes, including Olympic champions.
The International Triathlon Union started The World Triathlon Series in 2009 as a new series race, and is positioned as a tournament to select the world's best triathlete.
ITU held the competition in the heart of the major city of the world such as in Sydney, London, Madrid, and Hamburg, with the strategic management to promote the triathlon as to be recognized as a "Olympic sports"
Yokohama city has been hosting The World Triathlon Series event since 2009.
Gwen Jorgensen of the United States crossed the finish line with a time of 1 hour, 57 minutes, 20 seconds to finish 73 seconds ahead of Australia's Ashleigh Gentle.
"I think it's a great venue coming here, I always love coming here, It'a always well organized. I just really like it because the fans are always out cheering. It's really exciting," said Jorgensen.
Yokohama city is located close to Tokyo, having two major international airports, Tokyo Haneda International Airport, and Narita International Airport.
