Japan | American Meat Month Publicized At Media Conference | More than 50 rep...

Japan

American Meat Month Publicized At Media Conference

More than 50 reporters from throughout Japan were on hand for a media conference Monday in Tokyo as USMEF celebrated American Meat Month, a campaign increasing awareness and demand for high quality, safe U.S. pork and beef by showing the personal care the U.S. meat industry has for its consumers.

USMEF showed the commitment of the U.S. industry with several of its officers present for the event: Chair Dennis Erpelding opened the conference; immediate past chair John Bellinger said the “We Care” message in Japan reflects U.S. beef producer efforts and vice chair Jon Caspers emphasized the commitment U.S. pork producers have to quality and safety.

USMEF President and CEO Phil Seng discussed export forecasts and the current USMEF campaigns in Japan. The “Mainichi Oishi” campaign encourages consumers to incorporate U.S. pork into everyday meals and the “Beef de Genki” campaign builds on the “We Care” theme by positioning U.S. beef as a key to a happy or “genki” life. Media tasted U.S. pork and beef dishes introduced in the campaigns.

Nolan Ryan, a former all-star baseball pitcher and now beef producer, was scheduled to attend the media event, but a typhoon delayed his arrival. Bobby Valentine, a fellow former player of the New York Mets and now coach of the Chiba Lotte Marines in Japan, filled in for Ryan by lending a hand in a ceremonial U.S. meat cutting event.

Ryan will be in Japan in time to throw the first pitch of baseball game at the Marines home ballpark where U.S. pork and beef will be featured in special bento meals. Bento meals, a popular convenience item in Japan, typically are packaged with meat, rice and vegetables. Proceeds from the U.S. meat bento meals will be donated to two children’s charities.

Japan

American Meat Month Publicized At Media Conference

More than 50 reporters from throughout Japan were on hand for a media conference Monday in Tokyo as USMEF celebrated American Meat Month, a campaign increasing awareness and demand for high quality, safe U.S. pork and beef by showing the personal care the U.S. meat industry has for its consumers.

USMEF showed the commitment of the U.S. industry with several of its officers present for the event: Chair Dennis Erpelding opened the conference; immediate past chair John Bellinger said the “We Care” message in Japan reflects U.S. beef producer efforts and vice chair Jon Caspers emphasized the commitment U.S. pork producers have to quality and safety.

USMEF President and CEO Phil Seng discussed export forecasts and the current USMEF campaigns in Japan. The “Mainichi Oishi” campaign encourages consumers to incorporate U.S. pork into everyday meals and the “Beef de Genki” campaign builds on the “We Care” theme by positioning U.S. beef as a key to a happy or “genki” life. Media tasted U.S. pork and beef dishes introduced in the campaigns.

Nolan Ryan, a former all-star baseball pitcher and now beef producer, was scheduled to attend the media event, but a typhoon delayed his arrival. Bobby Valentine, a fellow former player of the New York Mets and now coach of the Chiba Lotte Marines in Japan, filled in for Ryan by lending a hand in a ceremonial U.S. meat cutting event.

Ryan will be in Japan in time to throw the first pitch of baseball game at the Marines home ballpark where U.S. pork and beef will be featured in special bento meals. Bento meals, a popular convenience item in Japan, typically are packaged with meat, rice and vegetables. Proceeds from the U.S. meat bento meals will be donated to two children’s charities.