Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Project to Develop North American Sales Channels for Marine Products from Nagasaki Prefecture's Remote Islands
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, we focused on developing sales channels through online business negotiations, primarily in Los Angeles, New York, and Seattle.
We conducted promotional activities through tastings for Hollywood celebrities, including Angelina Jolie and Djimon Hounsou, with the participation of a former Whole Foods Market Vice President.
As part of an expansion strategy in four North American West Coast cities (Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Portland), we will conduct tasting events targeting restaurants, bars, and retailers, and manage initiatives at the NBWA, the largest beer trade show in the United States held in Las Vegas.
A prefabricated tea room from Okawa City was installed in the official Grammy Awards talent lounge to conduct marketing research targeting over 150 Hollywood celebrities, including Bruno Mars and John Travolta.
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries / JETRO Promising Export Products Discovery and Test Marketing Project “debutante: New Selection of JAPAN FOODS+”
Erewhon Market, Brooklyn Fare, and other U.S.-based supermarkets and select shops conducted limited-time sales at 13 locations in New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, leading to ongoing sales. Alongside sales, initiatives such as P2P marketing, influencer promotions, product development, and survey research were implemented.
JFOODO ＜Japanese Miso＞ North American Promotion
As part of an initiative to expand distribution in three North American cities (New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco), we implemented and managed application development, tasting events for local stakeholders, fan community initiatives, and media tie-ups.
JFOODO＜Japanese Rice Flour＞ North American Promotion
As part of our expansion strategy in three North American cities (New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco), we implemented the following initiatives: collaboration with The Culinary Institute of America, application development with star chefs, ambassador casting, online workshop hosting, influencer casting, and individual outreach to 395 locations including bakeries and cafes.
Miyazaki Josuien’s “Bio Tea” cold-brewed tea and finely powdered green tea “Sōsō” green tea sweets were selected for the official Academy Awards after-party, the Governors Ball. They were served to Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, and other nominees and winners. The selection was featured on NHK and in US media, generating significant buzz.
Gunma Prefecture Soy Sauce and Miso Industry Cooperative Association U.S. Market Development Project
Test sales of Gunma Prefecture’s soy sauce and miso-based seasonings in the U.S.,
media coverage, marketing research utilizing Japanese food fan communities,
social media promotions, and promotions at Milk Street cooking classes
led to new sales channels.
National Federation of Small Business Associations / U.S. Market Development Project
Food products sourced nationwide underwent test sales in the U.S., media coverage, marketing research leveraging Japanese food fan communities, SNS promotions, menu development by top chefs, and buyer negotiations at the NY NOW (Deco Boko) exhibition, leading to new sales channels.
A hinoki bath utilizing hinoki wood produced in Hinohara Village, Tokyo, was installed at the Kensho Ryokan, a ryokan-style hotel under construction in Los Angeles’ trendy Art District, for a proof-of-concept test. A survey was conducted with 51 participants to verify needs and identify issues for product development.
Hiroshima Prefecture, as the host of the G7 summit, conducted a press tour inviting media from G7 member countries to share information with the world.
Our company handled casting for U.S. media, securing coverage in “Traveler” and “COOL HUNTING.”
Fukuoka Prefecture, Kurume City “Moonstar/Shoes Like Pottery” Hollywood Film “Think Like A Dog” Product Placement
In the Hollywood film “Think Like A Dog,” we featured Hollywood actors Megan Fox and Josh Duhamel—famous for the ‘Transformers’ series—wearing Moonstar’s “SHOES LIKE POTTERY.”
We inserted shots focusing on the signature light blue soles of SHOES LIKE POTTERY.
Tohoku Tourism Promotion Organization <TRAVEL TO TOHOKU> North American Inbound Promotion
We invited graphic artist Chaz Guest to Tohoku and held a solo exhibition in Los Angeles featuring his artwork inspired by places and objects in the region. This initiative aimed to spark interest in Tohoku among Chaz’s fans and foster inbound tourism.
We invited journalist Julie Wolfson to visit and report from various locations in Tohoku, resulting in an article published in the LOS ANGELES TIMES.
Through the Japan Brand Development Support Program, we conducted a project to develop North American sales channels for Miyazaki Josuien’s “Bio Tea.” This included promotional activities linking a promotional video created by an LA-based creator with Instagram, as well as a tasting initiative targeting Hollywood celebrity Angelina Jolie.
A food and crafts fair featuring products from Ukiha City, Fukuoka Prefecture, was held at Ginza Terrace in Ginza Mitsukoshi.
This initiative to sell fresh herbs in a department store showcased a wide range of products from Ukiha City businesses—from food and tableware to interior goods—leading to effective promotion and sales.
BPQC × Tortoise General Store “Life with Tortoise General Store and BPQC”
Tortoise General Store, a Los Angeles retailer specializing in Japanese goods, collaborated with the Isetan Mitsukoshi Group. This initiative aimed to help Japanese consumers rediscover the appeal of Japanese products by showcasing items popular in the U.S. market. Featuring over 50 regional products including Hasami ware, Mashiko ware, and Aomori hiba wood, the collection was curated by buyers from U.S. select shops and received enthusiastic reception.
As part of the Brand Land Japan initiative to foster Japanese brands, we managed a sales channel development project for rice storage containers produced by Fukuoka Prefecture’s paulownia box manufacturer, Masuda Paulownia Box Shop. Focusing on select shops and e-commerce, we achieved sales exceeding 10 million yen during the project period.
The More Than Project, part of the Japan Brand Development Support Initiative, expanded Shichishima I’s sales channels in the United States.
At an exhibition hosted by the renowned American interior design magazine dwell on design, globally acclaimed architect Jamie Durie showcased an installation featuring Shichishima I tatami mats. Graphic artist Chaz Guest wore Shichishima I sandals while walking the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival, leading to promotional coverage by local media.
Small and Medium Enterprise Agency Hometown Global Producer Development Support Program
We have been certified as an OJT host company in North America (Los Angeles, Seattle) and Southeast Asia (Thailand, Hong Kong, Malaysia). Our project received high praise and was featured as a case study in the report, alongside the trainees’ reports.
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry: “Kokura Denim” North American Market Development Project
Through the Japan Brand Development Support Project, “Kokura Denim”—a denim fabric maximizing the unique characteristics of Kokura-ori textiles—was launched on U.S. Kickstarter. Designed by Kunihiko Morinaga of ANREALAGE, this unprecedented denim pant draws inspiration from traditional samurai hakama trousers. Creators in LA produced promotional videos and the website.