AOTS Journal 2019 SPRING No.14 (ENGLISH)

11/18

9No. 14 SPRING 2019In both regions, we found a very high degree of interest in food retailing in Japan and we saw a wide variety of attendants, including executives of local retailing business organizations and other bodies that handle food retailing, participants from local supermarkets and department stores selling food products from Japan, executives and managers of importers, and manufacturers and agents for food products and other daily consumer goods.In Vietnam, Sales at conventional private shops and local markets are still dominant and it is true that there is only a limited selection of Japanese food products available at those shops. However, as more Japanese-afliated retailers such as major supermarkets and convenience shops are opening in Ho Chi Minh City these days, the same food products found in Japan such as snack confectionery, pet-bottled drinks and pot noodles are becoming familiar to local consumers. In addition, Vietnamese consumers are placing more importance on health in accordance with their higher income and quality of life as evidenced by their primary concern for ‘country of origin,’ ‘food safety, with or without additives or the use of agricultural chemicals,’ as shown in an excerpt of a survey by JETRO Ho Chi Minh to 300 citizens, when choosing food with more attention to quality, hygiene and safety. Even though Vietnam still needs to solve such challenges as higher distribution costs and an incomplete distribution chain for perishable foods due to poor infrastructure, the organizer and AOTS could see growing chances for more sales of food stuff from Japan as we could see so many industry-ofcials and press who listened to the latest and interesting information on Japan.While Taiwan is well known for its pro-Japanese attitude and we can nd an abundant display of fruits, processed foods and seasonings all imported from Japan at not only high-grade department stores and supermarkets for rich people but also at ordinary supermarkets.Meals with Chinese medicine have been popular in Taiwan and this represents a part of higher health consciousness in the whole nation of Taiwan in the background of progress of aging population and increasing national income. As their consumption behavior is clearly showing more attention to health, esthetic effect and anti-aging, it is possible to assume Taiwan would be attractive as a market where Japanese food products could show their strength.As demand for ready-made meals or take-out precooked foods such as household dishes and box lunches is growing in Taiwan, where eating out has been predominant over the years, a presentation at ‘Delicatessen Trade Show 2019’, which is to be held simultaneously with SMTS2019, got the attention of the attendants in particular as the show will announce ‘Lunch box/Household dish’ grand prix.After the promotional event, we found follow-up coverage by television, web news, a business magazine and business newsletter and we also found that 75% of the respondents to our questionnaire to attendants answered that they planned to visit Japan to see SMTS2019; thus we could see an effect of enhanced interest among those attendants in Japanese way of retailing, merchandising and services in this promotional event.Business briefing in TaipeiLocal media interview in VietnamAOTS Research Institute wishes to continue its contribution to more active business exchanges between Japan and emerging economies through communication with relevant audiences outside of Japan, building of networks and attracting more visitors to domestic industrial exhibitions in collaboration with those Japanese industrial organizations, local governments and businesses. Data of Promotional Events VietnamDate: 30 October, 2018 Venue: Pullman Saigon Centre, Ho Chi Minh CityAttendants: 32 from business organizations and retailers, 24 from news media TaiwanDate: 1 November, 2018Venue: Evergreen Laurel Hotel, TaipeiAttendants: 29 from business organizations and retailers, 8 from news media