JAL, which has bases throughout Japan, has been continuously implementing regional revitalization initiatives (currently the “JAL Furusato Project”), and in August 2020 launched the “JAL Furusato Ambassadors,” cabin crew members selected through an in-house recruitment process who move to the area to promote initiatives in their respective regions. In December of the same year, JAL appointed “JAL Hometown Cheering Troops” who are involved in regional revitalization while serving as flight attendants. The aim is to develop products and solve regional issues for hometowns and other regions with which they have connections, utilizing the knowledge they have accumulated as flight attendants.
We interviewed Ms. Manami Tonegawa, a JAL Furusato Ambassador who is involved in the Japanese chestnut project in the Chubu region.
–What can you tell us about your initiatives?
Kakegawa City in Shizuoka Prefecture is a town rich in nature, surrounded by Mount Hachiko in the north and Enshu in the south. Chestnuts used to be grown in abundance, but over time they have declined and are now one-fifth the size they were at their peak. Facing such challenges as the aging of the population and the contradiction of fair prices, the “Enshu Japanese Chestnut Project” was launched in 2022 to protect Japanese chestnuts.
JAL is also participating in this initiative, which aims to promote the attractiveness of Japanese chestnuts from Kakegawa and other regions in Japan and create the WAGURI brand.
–How are you involved in this effort?
We participate in various activities as part of the Enshu-Waguri Project.
We also assisted with a chestnut event at the Entetsu Department Store in Hamamatsu Station and participated in a tree-planting festival at a chestnut farm in Kakegawa City.
First, as an opportunity to let local people know about Kakegawa chestnuts, we helped promote chestnut products using Kakegawa chestnuts manufactured by Shunkado, famous for its eel pies, at the event “Japanese Taste and Masterpiece Exhibition ‘Chestnut’ Special” held at the Entetsu Department Store from November 1 to 7, 2012.
In addition, in hopes of increasing the production of Japanese chestnuts, they participated in the Kakegawa Chestnut Planting Festival held at Hayakawa Chestnut Farm in Kakegawa City on November 13, 2011.
–What are your future plans and prospects?
Through the production of chestnuts, we will participate in activities to foster connections between people and nature and between people, and to ensure that Japanese foodstuffs of high quality and good taste are paid for in a manner that is appropriate. In order to make “WAGURI” a brand to be proud of in the world, producers, government and private companies will pursue aggressive growth and take on challenges under a common desire. JAL will continue to promote the appeal of WAGURI not only domestically but also to the world.
–What is your message to travelers?
When you visit Shizuoka Prefecture, why not extend your visit to Hamamatsu City, about 30 minutes by train from Kakegawa City?
Do you all know about Shunkado’s Sweets Bank in Hamamatsu City, famous for its eel pies? 13 times the size of a dining table, chairs, and shopping bag objects, you will feel as if you have wandered into the world of Kobito. It is a very popular outing spot that is exciting just to visit. Chestnuts and other local and seasonal ingredients are used to create a variety of eye-pleasing and reflective sweets for sale. When you think of Shizuoka, many people think of delicious Japanese tea and eels, but please enjoy delicious sweets in Hamamatsu as well.
© Source travel watch
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