Tokyo-based the Japan Food Product Overseas Promotion Center (JFOPC) pitched Japanese meal boxes to anime fans during the Anime Los Angeles event at Long Beach Convention Center from Jan. 4 to Jan. 7.
Dubbed as JFOODO, JFPOC is a Japanese government agency within the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO). Judo, bushido, the way of samurai, and sado, the way of tea or tea ceremony are terms associated with Japan all around the world. JFOODO, its name a portmanteau of “food” and do, the Japanese word for “way,” proposes “the way of food” as an enticing concept for communicating Japanese culinary culture to the world.
With collaboration of Los Angeles-based Bishamon Group Restaurants, JFOODO prepared 300 boxes of the Japanese anime-theme meal every day and sold boxes out. Beside selling Japanese meal box for $18 per box, JFOODO conducted survey on knowledge about Japan by consumers, and responders were given tote bags of Japanese anime “Love Live Sunshine.”
Love Live Sunshine-themed meal boxes are available to purchase from Jan. 4 through Jan 28 at the Bishamon Group restaurants on First Steet in Little Tokyo: Daikokuya Little Tokyo, Hachioji Craft Ramen, and Daikokuya Annex.
Three life sized cutouts of Love Live Sunshine are displayed at each store on rotating basis.