#Japan #Tokyo #Yokohama DeNA #Daiki Ise #Tatsuya Ebina

Yokohama DeNA BayStars Players Appointed as Judges for a Culinary Contest

The Japan Shrimp Association, led by President Fujii Tsutomu, has announced that Yokohama DeNA BayStars players, Daiki Ise and Tatsuya Ebina, will serve as judges for the upcoming "6th National Shrimp Cooking Contest 2026," which is supported by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and the Fisheries Agency. Both players have been appointed as honorary shrimp ambassadors, actively promoting the allure of shrimp and Japanese food culture. They are affectionately known as the "Ise Ebi Team" by their fans.

In an exciting addition for this year, they have introduced the "Ise Ebi Team Award," which includes two categories—the Daiki Ise Player Award and the Tatsuya Ebina Player Award. To encourage participation, the submission deadline for this particular award has been extended until August 31, allowing more children to take part.

Last Year's Success

The National Shrimp Cooking Contest has rapidly grown in popularity, receiving a total of 2,202 submissions last year. From these, 100 works advanced to the second round of judging, with a panel consisting of experts from various fields, including the culinary world, culture, and education, selecting the standout pieces. Some of these award-winning recipes were brought to life by renowned chefs such as Atsushi Ochiai, Kiyoshi Mikuni, and Yuuji Wakiya, offering a unique experiential learning opportunity, allowing children to see their dreams turn into actual dishes.

New Award and Extended Deadline

The newly established "Ise Ebi Team Award" allows participants to submit creations developed during the summer vacation, reflecting their culinary dreams. Winners will receive special commemorative items from the Yokohama DeNA BayStars along with the exquisite "Ono Ebi®" shrimp from the Japan Shrimp Association, a special brand presented to the players upon their appointment as honorary shrimp ambassadors.

This year's awards and the appeal to younger chefs aim to spark children’s imaginations by mixing creativity with delicious shrimp-based recipes.

Comments from the Judges

Daiki Ise

"I look forward to all the dream shrimp dishes that you will create! As one of the honorary shrimp ambassadors from Yokohama DeNA BayStars, I am grateful to take on this role. I am excited to see the imaginative shrimp dishes that children will come up with. I encourage everyone to share their creations!"

Tatsuya Ebina

"I can’t wait to see the kids’ imaginative works! As an honorary shrimp ambassador for Yokohama DeNA BayStars, I hope to see creative ideas infused in the dishes. I believe this is a great opportunity for children to develop a passion for food and ocean life. I look forward to your submissions!"

Contest Details

• - Contest Name: 6th National Shrimp Cooking Contest 2026
• - Submission Period: May 1 - July 20

- Ise Ebi Team Award Deadline: Extended to August 31

• - Judging Period: August 1 - September 10
• - Winners Announcement: September 21, aligning with "Shrimp Day®"
• - Display of Award-Winning Works: October 1 - 31 at the Kanazaki Natural History Museum
• - Eligibility: Ages 3-18
• - Organizer: Japan Shrimp Association
• - Supporters: Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology; Fisheries Agency; Japan Fisheries Association
• - Special Cooperation: Museum of Marine Science

Open for Submissions!

Children are encouraged to submit their imaginative shrimp dishes—their culinary dreams may include family meals, futuristic shrimp creations, or even dishes inspired by the ocean! Both Daiki Ise and Tatsuya Ebina eagerly anticipate the influx of "dream shrimp dishes" from across the nation.

How to Enter in Three Simple Steps:

1. Draw your dream shrimp dish!
- Download the application template (A4) [here].
2. Fill in your information:
- Include your name, age, address, contact number, email, and school (optional) on the back of the application sheet.
3. Mail your work:
- Send completed works to:
Japan Shrimp Association, 6th National Shrimp Cooking Contest Office, 2-8-12 Kachidoki, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0054

Additional Information

This contest is part of a broader project endorsed by the Ministry of Education and Fisheries Agency, aiming to educate children about the ocean's bounty and life's importance through hands-on experiences like shrimp dissections at Kanazaki Natural History Museum. The initiative seeks to foster a passion for the ocean and food through interactive learning experiences.

About the Organization

The Japan Shrimp Association is dedicated to fostering a new culinary culture that celebrates longevity through shrimp, encouraging families to enjoy this delicacy together. Their mission is to promote accurate knowledge of seafood among future generations while supporting healthy growth through food education activities.

For more information, please visit Japan Shrimp Association's website. Join us in supporting this project that aims to educate children about the importance of food and protect the future of shrimp!