Take a journey to “EXPO 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan” from the comfort of Los Angeles, with a special spotlight on one of its signature pavilions – EARTH MART.
The program begins with an overview of EXPO 2025, followed by an insightful conversation with Mr. Kundo Koyama, the Theme Producer of EARTH MART. He will share the vision behind EARTH FOODS 25 – Thinking About Life Through Food, a curated selection of 25 traditional Japanese ingredients that celebrate Japan’s culinary heritage and their potential to address global food challenges and promote sustainability. This initiative bridges centuries-old food traditions with modern innovations, highlighting their relevance in today’s rapidly changing world.
Joining Mr. Koyama is Mr. Hitoshi Hokamura, a key member of the Earth Foods Review Committee, renowned Food Tech Evangelist, and investor with expertise in food technology and sustainability. Together, they will explore how EARTH FOODS 25 can inspire new ways of thinking about food culture and sustainability.
The evening concludes with a culinary experience, as guests savor dishes prepared by Chef Kuniko Yagi from Pikunico. These creations will incorporate ingredients from EARTH FOODS 25, such as umeboshi (sour salted plum), kombu (sea kelp), kōji (Japanese fermentation starter), daikon radish, sanshō pepper, anko (red bean paste), pickled vegetables, and citrus varieties like Sudachi and Yuzu from Tokushima Prefecture, along with other unique offerings from Kumamoto Prefecture.
As a special treat, each participant will receive a gift package from SPIRIT Almond, a Los Angeles-based brand known for its Japanese-inspired dry almonds. The package features exclusive flavors incorporating ingredients from EARTH FOODS 25, such as koji salt, miso, and seaweed.
Join us for an unforgettable evening that brings together food, culture, and sustainability in a uniquely Japanese way.
Program Schedule
*Subject to change
6:30 – 6:35 PM | Opening
6:35 – 6:50 PM | Introduction to Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan
6:50 – 7:05 PM | Live Streaming from EARTH MART
7:05 – 8:00 PM | Talk with Mr. Kundo Koyama & Mr. Hitoshi Hokamura
8:00 – 8:15 PM | Q&A
8:15 – 9:00 PM | Sample Tasting (dishes feat. EARTH FOODS 25)
About the Speakers
Kundo Koyama
A broadcast writer, Screenwriter and the vice-president of the Kyoto University of The Arts.
Born in Kumamoto, 1964. His career as a broadcast writer began during his undergraduate studies. He is responsible for envisioning and creating many TV programs, including the International Emmy Awards winners Iron Chef and Torisetsu. His screenplay for Departures brought positive responses domestically and internationally, awarding him the 32nd Japan Academy Film Prize for Best Original Screenplay and the 81st …
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Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
He is involved in broader creative projects such as radio personality, serialized essays and song lyrics. He also offers relevant advice to the national government, numerous regional management and companies: he is the General producer of the JAPAN DAY PROJECT, run by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry; part of the Japan Heritage Inspection Committee within the Agency for Cultural Affairs and the Theme Producer of EXPO 2025 Osaka Kansai.
He is also a significant Supporter of the culinary world: He is the owner of the traditional Japanese Restaurant Shimogamosaryo, part of the judging committee in the Ryori Masters Project run by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the general producer of RED U-35, one of the largest culinary competitions in Japan.
Hitoshi Hokamura
Food Tech Evangelist/Investor
Born in Kumamoto. After graduating from the University of Tokyo, he worked for Bain & Company, a strategic consulting firm, where he executed new entry strategies and business improvement projects for domestic and foreign companies. Later, he worked at Apple Inc. in market development and marketing general manager positions. After moving to Europe by land, he spent one year cooking as a househusband while his wife earned her MBA at INSEAD in …
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France, and the following year he took over and earned his MBA at IMD (International Management Development) in Switzerland.
In 2000, he moved to Silicon Valley and co-founded Generic Media, a streaming technology start-up, raising $12M until selling the company. He co-founded First Compass Group, and then served as Chairman of Evernote Japan from 2010, where he promoted investment and business alliances with NTT DOCOMO and Nikkei Shimbun, and contributed to Evernote’s unicorn status. He was also known as the Chief Food Officer during those days, and at the same time he started to be involved in food tech from its early days.
In the fall of 2020, he founded Japan’s first food tech co-creation program, Food Tech Studio – Bites! promoting open innovation between major Japanese food companies and global start-ups. He also has been actively promoting healthy and sustainable traditional Japanese food and advanced food solutions to the rest of the world.
He co-founded SKS Japan and published “Food Tech Revolution” from Nikkei BP with the same members. He is a visiting professor of the newly established “Food Culture Design Course” at Kyoto University of Arts.
Co-Presented by
Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition
Special Thanks to
