On February 26, the Embassy of Canada in Japan hosted a Canadian-themed Afternoon Tea in Tokyo, bringing together 50 chefs, buyers and hotel leaders from 24 luxury hotels serving over 4.1 million guests annually. The event aimed to increase awareness of Canadian food, as many exports to Japan are commodities not easily recognized by consumers.
Guests participated in a seminar, tasting experience and networking session featuring over 70 Canadian products already available in Japan, including seafood, meats, maple products, wines and teas. Culinary experts highlighted the versatility and quality of Canadian ingredients.
The event delivered strong results:
- 93% of participants improved their understanding of Canadian products
- 66% plan to use Canadian ingredients in future menus
Media and influencer outreach expanded visibility, reaching nearly 260,000 people and generating 68 media articles.
This initiative is part of the broader Canada Brand digital campaign in Japan, which promotes Canadian food through e-commerce, events and partnerships. Together, these efforts aim to boost consumer recognition and support continued growth of Canada's agri-food exports to Japan.
