Measures to Promote the Protection and Inheritance of Traditional Japanese Dietary Cultures

Abstract

Washoku, the traditional dietary cultures of the Japanese, was inscribed on the UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List in 2013. While Washoku is popular worldwide, the rise of the nuclear family and the globalization of food in Japan has made Washoku less common in households and decreased the number of transmitters of regional dishes; thus, Washoku’s presence and viability in Japan has waned. In light of this, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan has taken various measures with a view to promote the protection and inheritance of Washoku, mainly targeting children and parents, whose awareness of improving eating habits has tended to increase. Since the momentum is rising for transmission of Washoku, the Ministry will continue to take such measures in cooperation with relevant organizations.