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A long-established company attracting attention for its Halal food

Fuji Shoji Co., Ltd., founded in 1950, is a long-established company in the prefecture that has been supplying raw materials to food manufacturers and other companies.

In recent years, while focusing on the confectionery and bread-making departments, we have also been working on related items such as packaging and novelty goods, creating a new type of trading company with a planning, proposal and development style. Among such coordinator-type corporate activities, one that is attracting attention is halal food awareness activities.

Halal food refers to meals and foods that can be eaten by Muslims, who make up about 25% of the world's population. In Japan, it is believed that ``pork and alcoholic beverages cannot be consumed,'' but there are other detailed rules and interpretations that are not widely understood. Therefore, in response to diverse food cultures and anticipating an increase in inbound tourists due to the Tokyo Olympics, the company began a halal food awareness campaign in 2015. The educational activities are wide-ranging, including creating guidebooks, holding study sessions and seminars, developing halal-friendly menus using Shizuoka ingredients, and holding events to provide Shizuoka's halal food to Muslims.

What is noteworthy is that they communicate the appeal of local products through their interactions with Muslims. In 2018, the Kingdom of Bahrain held the country's first exhibition of products from Shizuoka Prefecture, which served as an opportunity to lift Bahrain's restrictions on imports of Japanese food products (radiation testing) due to the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident. This is an extremely rare case in which a small and medium-sized local business has moved the country, and it has attracted the attention of many countries, including the Gulf states.

Atsuko Inamori, the company's managing director, says: “Knowing what is Halal will help you understand how to respond to a variety of food cultures, such as vegan (vegetarian), kosher (Jewish food), and allergies.We will continue to focus on Shizuoka, the food capital.” At the same time, I would like to contribute to a borderless world and multicultural coexistence."

<Contact> Fuji Noh Shoji Co., Ltd.
[Address] 1-2-1 Yahata, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka City
[Telephone number] 054-285-2266
[URL]https://www.fujinoh.co.jp

The "Mt. Fuji Halal Set" was completed in collaboration with local companies. The contents include Shizuoka oden, furikake, and olive bean curry. There is also a ``Halal Sweets Set'' (the contents are currently being changed) filled with yokan and tea candy.

In 2018, an exhibition of Shizuoka products was held with the support of the Japanese Embassy in Bahrain. In addition to food, we also exhibit furniture and crafts. Japanese cultural experience sessions such as calligraphy and kimono were also held.

Strengthen relationships by inviting overseas buyers and wholesalers to Shizuoka. We aim to increase imports and exports in the future while promoting the charms of Shizuoka.