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. Haruna Uesugi, a JAL Furusato Ambassador who is involved in the production of products dyed from lounge waste at Itami Airport.
–What can you tell us about your initiatives?
The Osaka Bureau of Industry and JAL West Japan Branch produced products in collaboration with companies certified as “Osaka Made Brands “* using juice and coffee powder discarded at JAL lounges in Osaka International Airport (Itami Airport), and displayed them in the JAL “Diamond Premier The products were displayed in the JAL Diamond Premier Lounge and Sakura Lounge at Itami Airport from March 1 to April 10. The ingredients used and products on display are as follows. Both ingredients were used as dyes to create new products.
Osaka has long been known as a city of craftsmanship, and is dotted with many companies that possess superior technology. The governor of Osaka Prefecture certifies the “Osaka Made Brand” as an industrial support program to enhance the brand image of Osaka’s manufacturing and to promote the development of in-house products by manufacturing companies in the prefecture.
–How are you involved in this effort?
When I was on board as a flight attendant, I once wondered if there was any use for items that could still be used but had to be discarded as a result. This time, too, I thought about using opened juice and coffee powder as dyes.
This initiative is a joint effort between companies certified as Osaka Made Brand that develop and sell products using waste food materials and the JAL Group, which is working toward the achievement of the SDGs. We created the new products while exchanging opinions from the development stage with the two companies certified as Osaka Made Brand in the hope of raising awareness of the Osaka Made Brand and encouraging people to pay attention to food loss and environmental considerations.
Shizuku ~SHIZUKU~ Tomato Juice Dyed”, a collaboration product with Furuya Towel, is finished in a vivid vermilion color. The special feature of this product is that the towel fabric is decorated with a tomato pattern in a perfect circle, alternating with a cross-sectional design.
In the work with Tanemura Kengu Wood Works, biopolymer material dyed with tomato juice and coffee powder was applied to the shoji screens used in “Saori Shoji” and “Hikaribako”. The material dyed with tomato juice also created shades of pink, and the coffee powder left particles in the fabric, creating an interesting tactile experience. The “Sakura Kumiko” was created to match the atmosphere of the lounge and to enjoy the seasonal feeling of cherry blossoms as a motif.
–What are your future plans and prospects?
Although we only exhibited and did not sell any products this time, we would like to use this initiative as an opportunity to try to create and sell products through grants and other means.
Customers who viewed the exhibit responded well, commenting that it was a “wonderful initiative. Some of them immediately posted the information on trico (JAL’s official social networking service). The collaborators also took time out of their busy schedules to work positively on this exhibition.
Although the exhibition has ended, we will consider the next measures so that we can create places and opportunities for many more people to see the exhibition.
–What is your message to travelers?
I am sure that many visitors will come to the Kansai region on the occasion of the Kansai Expo. Osaka has many attractions in terms of history, food, and sightseeing, but we would like you to know Osaka from the perspective of manufacturing as well. Please take note of the “Made in Osaka” brand products, which are made with the utmost care and technology! Please visit JAL’s official tourism website, On trip JAL, for information on recommended places to visit in Osaka.
© Source travel watch
Auto Amazon Links: No products found.
Auto Amazon Links: No products found.