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Supporting Local Seafood to Aid Reconstruction

The Sanriku and Joban Weeks, held from November 1 to 30, aimed to promote the delicious seafood from the Sanriku and Joban regions while encouraging support for reconstruction efforts following the Great East Japan Earthquake. This initiative, known as the "Discover the Charm! Sanriku and Joban Network," is a collaborative project involving the public and private sectors, organized by Sankei Shimbun.

Overview of the Event

During this month-long event, the project engaged around 1,200 companies and organizations, focusing on providing meals that incorporate local seafood into their employee cafeterias, offering bento boxes, hosting marketplace events, and organizing special events. In total, an impressive 383,202 meals were served, allowing staff from participating organizations to enjoy the flavors of Sanriku and Joban while supporting the region's recovery efforts.

Breakdown of Meals Served

• - Employee Cafeterias and School Lunches: 313,301 meals
• - Bento Boxes: 6,760 meals
• - Food Trucks: 7,595 meals
• - On-site Dining: 2,893 meals
• - Marketplace Events: 2,415 meals
• - E-commerce Sales: 1,381 meals
• - Retail Sales: 12,477 meals
• - Events: 36,380 meals

Key Activities During the Event

1. Menu Offerings in Employee Cafeterias and Bento Purchases:
Major corporations like Mitsubishi Electric and Subaru led efforts to provide delightful menus featuring local ingredients. Mitsubishi Electric served around 46,000 meals at 27 facilities, including favorites such as "Sanriku Salmon Mayonnaise Fry" and "Ishiwaki-Hamburg from Miyagi Prefecture." The Subaru facilities featured a fair that offered around 8,600 unique meals, including "Sanriku Salmon Mayonnaise Katsu" and "Sanriku Wakame Ramen."

2. Bento Purchases During Meetings and Events:
Over 6,000 bento boxes were supplied for various corporate events, meetings, and training sessions. The bento offerings included dishes made with ingredients like rich Sanriku eel and local specialties from Fukushima, showcasing delicious combinations that appealed even to government officials like the Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry, Ryozo Akizuki, and Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Kenkichi Suzuki.

3. Participation in the SAKANA & JAPAN FESTIVAL 2025:
The network also showcased Sanriku and Joban seafood at one of Japan's largest seafood festivals, held in Hibiya Park from November 28 to 30. The booth featured original bento boxes, alongside a variety of other local seafood dishes. This event attracted approximately 27,000 servings, boosting awareness and appreciation for regional seafood while supporting local fisheries.

The Impact of the Network

The "Discover the Charm! Sanriku and Joban Network" is dedicated to connecting buyers and sellers of local seafood products, facilitating collaboration among the industry, governmental bodies, and municipalities. The network aims not only to promote the local seafood charm but also to foster consumption growth and recovery in the coastal communities impacted by the earthquake.

Through meal services provided via employee cafeterias, events, and market opportunities, the network advocates for Sanriku and Joban seafood, contributing to impactful social benefit. Future events and expos, like the Sanriku Joban Fair, are also planned to elevate the prominence of these fisheries regionally and nationally.

For more information on how to participate or support this initiative, you can visit their official website.