#Japan #Table Tennis #Malmö #Japanese Food #2026WTT

The Japan Table Tennis Team at the 2026WTT Europe Smash

The excitement is palpable in Malmo, Sweden, as the 2026WTT Europe Smash kicks off! This prestigious tournament is notable for its top-tier competition, and this year, the Japanese Table Tennis Team is being profoundly supported by the agricultural organization JA Zennoh with 'Nippon no Shoku' or Japanese cuisine.

Starting tomorrow, the players will rely on familiar and comforting foods to maintain their performance levels abroad. JA Zennoh is committed to ensuring that athletes receive the nutrition they need while competing overseas. A wide variety of products are provided, primarily sourced from its online shop, JA Town, including:

• - Cooked rice and vacuum-packed meals
• - Freeze-dried miso soup
• - Side dishes and snacks that resonate with home tastes
• - A selection of dried fruits from the 'Nippon Ale' brand

Among the players, Hina Hayata from Japan Life has expressed her appreciation for this support. She mentioned that she often enjoys miso soup made from ingredients like eggplant that aren't available overseas, especially for breakfast alongside rice. Furthermore, she loves making onigiri with sweet honey plums to bring to the venue, noting, "Thank you for your support. The sweet honey plums are delicious!"

The WTT Grand Smash is one of the most prestigious events on the World Table Tennis circuit. During the previous tournament in June, the 2026WTT US Smash, Japanese players shined with individual standout performances. Notable achievements included the singles win by Hikaru Matsushima (individual category) and a runner-up finish by Hina Hayata and Miwa Harimoto in women's doubles. The team is determined to channel the power of 'Nippon no Shoku' as they face intense competition from strong international players.

Supported Foods List

The following foods are being provided to support the Japanese players during the tournament:

• - Packaged rice (JA Zennoh Radfa Corporation)
• - Germinated brown rice packaged meals
• - Scrambled and salad-type eggs from 'Nippon Ale'
• - Miso soup and various freeze-dried soups
• - Ise tea variety bags
• - Hand-stretched somen
• - Freeze-dried natto
• - Salted kelp (JA Living Delivery)
• - Seasoned nori for table use
• - Instant rice offerings from National Agricultural Cooperative Food Products Inc.
• - Japanese barley rice
• - Disaster food options including multigrain rice and curry rice
• - Pickled plums (Kishu Nanko honey plums)
• - Dried sweet potatoes and various dried fruits from 'Nippon Ale'

Player Testimonials

Hina Hayata (Japan Life) expressed her gratitude: "I can have miso soup with eggplants, which I love, making breakfast with rice. The honey plums are sweet and my favorite, especially for onigiri at the venue. Thank you for all the support!"

Yukiya Uda (Kyouwa Kirin) also shared: "Thank you for the food support. Eating white rice gives me the energy I need, and having instant rice is a lifesaver when there's no microwave in the hotel. I focus on maintaining my health with Japanese meals including miso soup and kelp. I appreciate your support as I aim to give my best!"

Social Media Engagement

For more updates on sports-related initiatives and JA Zennoh’s support for athletes through food, follow their X account: @zennoh_sports

Since 2019, JA Zennoh has recognized the unique challenges faced by athletes, like adapting to foreign cuisines and hygiene conditions abroad. By leveraging their overseas networks, they've provided consistent support to Japanese table tennis and curling teams. JA Zennoh remains dedicated to cheering on the table tennis community through the essence of 'Nippon no Shoku.'

Tournament Details

• - Event Name: 2026WTT Europe Smash
• - Dates: August 8-16, 2026
• - Participating Athletes (by gender):

- Men: Yukiya Uda (Kyouwa Kirin), Daito Shinozuka (Toto Kankou Bus), Hayato Togami (Imuraya Group), Tomokazu Harimoto (Toyota Motor), Hikaru Matsushima (Individual), and Makihira Yoshimura (SCO Group).
- Women: Mima Ito (Starts), Satuki Ohto (Miki House), Miyu Kihara (Top Otohme Ping Pong Nagoya), Miyu Nagasaki (Kinoshita Group), Honoka Hashimoto (Denso), Hina Hayata (Japan Life), and Miwa Harimoto (Kinoshita Group).

For more information about the event, visit the official Japan Table Tennis Association website.