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The KIHOKU Town Commerce & Industry Meeting
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The Kihoku Town Society of Commerce & Industry Meeting President
KIMIO NAKANO
Launch of new homepage introducing “Tabekiri” one-package food project (hereinafter “Tabekiri” project) supported by the Japan Brand Programme.
We are pleased to announce that the “Tabekiri” project organized by The Kihoku town Society of Commerce and Industry* in Mie prefecture has been endorsed for the JAPAN Brand Fostering and Support Project by the Small and Medium Enterprise Agency. Originally endorsed in 2004, it is our belief that this latest endorsement is as a result of our promotion of the “Tabekiri” project as an effective way to develop local enterprise and industry.
(*The Kihoku Town Society of Commerce and Industry was changed from “The Kiinagashima Town Society of Commerce and Industry from March 3rd, 2006.)
The JAPAN Brand Fostering and Support Project was launched by the Small and Medium Enterprise Agency in 2004. It was aimed at supporting the chamber of commerce and industry across Japan in nurturing local industries to be competitive not only in Japan but also worldwide. In response to Kumanokodo being designated as a World Heritage Site, the extension of the Kinki highway Kise line and improvements to route 260 from 2001 to 2002, the Kiinagashima chamber of commerce identified various commercial opportunities for Kiinagashima. As Kihoku town has had a long association with commercial and leisure fishing, the local business people/government believed that the greatest commercial potential was in developing uniquely local products to attract visitors to the town. As such project was set up to identify potentially commercial local specialties, the result was “Tabekiri”. “Tabekiri” (dried local fish), won the Mie brand award and has since been continuously developed and marketed to achieve maximum commercial potential. It has been well received by both visitors and consumers at trade shows in Japan and overseas.
In 2004, “Tabekiri” one-package food was introduced at Inter-Food Osaka, FHC CHINA 2004 (in Shanghai). In 2005, we participated proactively in various exhibitions such as Hong Kong City Super for 2 weeks as a part of the JETRO SMEs Overseas Marketing through the establishment of a “JAPAN Brand” Programme and FOODEX JAPAN 2006 (Makuhari Messe). In 2006, we reinforced value positioning of “Tabekiri” food visually and further enhanced the taste. In order to respond to market demand and establish a reputation for “Tabekiri” food in the Japanese and East Asian market, we conducted thorough market research in terms of convenience, safety and satisfaction. In 2007, we will undertake a process to establish an original “Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point” through on-site inspection and marketing research.
The Kihoku town Society of Commerce and Industry was formed on 1st of April in 2006 through merging of the Kiinagashima Town and Miyama town. We hope many enterprises in both areas will participate actively in “Tabekiri” business.