#United States #Los Angeles #Table Tennis #Japanese Food #JA Zennoh

JA Zennoh's Support for Japanese Table Tennis Players in Los Angeles

The 2026 WTT US Smash has officially kicked off in Los Angeles, USA, and Japanese agricultural cooperative, JA Zennoh, is showing its commitment by supporting the Japanese national table tennis team with authentic Japanese cuisine. This initiative underscores the importance of nutritious and familiar food as athletes compete abroad.

Providing Japanese Food for Optimal Performance

To ensure that the athletes maintain their usual performance levels while overseas, JA Zennoh is providing a selection of items sourced from its direct-to-consumer site, JA Town. The offerings include:

• - Rice and packaged rice
• - Freeze-dried miso soup
• - Various rice accompaniments
• - Dried fruits from the JA Zennoh brand, Nippon Ale

Such provisions are more than just sustenance; they are crucial to the athletes' dietary preferences, especially when competing in an unfamiliar environment. Daito Shinozuka, a player from the Tokyo Sightseeing Bus team, expressed gratitude for the support, stating, “When I’m on an expedition, I crave Japanese food, so I often eat miso soup, dried sweet potatoes, and instant rice. I will do my best to perform while maintaining my condition with Japanese food.”

An Array of Food Items Provided

The food supplied during this event is varied and includes:

• - Packaged and sprouted brown rice
• - Scrambled egg and egg salad types produced by JA Zennoh Egg Co.
• - Freeze-dried soups and various tea bags from Ise tea
• - Seasoned seaweed and instant rice from national agricultural cooperative food companies
• - Domestic barley rice and emergency rations like five-grain rice and curry rice
• - Semi-dried persimmons and an assortment of dried fruits branded by Nippon Ale

The benefits of this support are highlighted by comments from the athletes. For instance, Honoka Hashimoto from Denso thanked JA Zennoh for their assistance, emphasizing the digestibility and energy from Japanese foods, especially when options are limited abroad. She appreciates being able to adapt meals like instant rice into onigiri, making it easier to stay fueled during competitions.

Expanding Support for Athletes

JA Zennoh began providing meal support for Japanese athletes during overseas expeditions in 2019, responding to the challenges they faced with unfamiliar local cuisines and hygiene standards. The cooperative has previously supported both table tennis and curling national teams, leveraging its international network to ensure athletes feel at home with the food they consume.

This support not only aids in performance but also helps in maintaining the athletes' mental well-being, as familiar food can reduce the stress of competing abroad.

In preparation for the tournament, JA Zennoh emphasizes the importance of nutritious meals for the players. Information about this initiative is shared on their X account, which provides updates on their support for athletes through food.

Event Details

The 2026 WTT US Smash runs from June 26 to July 5, and the roster of athletes is impressive:

• - Men’s team: Includes players like Yuki Uda (Kyowa Kirin), Daito Shinozuka (Tokyo Sightseeing Bus), and Tomokazu Harimoto (Toyota Motor Corporation).
• - Women’s team: Features athletes such as Mima Ito (Startts), Hinata Hayata (Nippon Life), and Honoka Hashimoto (Denso).

As they compete on an international stage, JA Zennoh remains steadfast in its support, bridging the gap between culture and competition through food, enabling these athletes to give their best performances while proudly representing Japan.