About

Mission Statement

Delivering the Taste of Japan

The purpose of this Association is to elevate the status of Japanese cuisine and expand its market across the United States.

Based in New York, we serve as a hub for the Japanese food community, fostering connections among restaurants, industry professionals, and partners.

We are committed to promoting and revitalizing Japanese food culture through a range of initiatives, including providing educational support on topics such as the history of Japanese cuisine, human resource management, and culinary techniques. We also support restaurants in addressing the challenges they face and, in collaboration with partner organizations, contribute to creating a fair and sustainable environment for the industry.

Board of Directors and Advisors

Board Member

Naoki Kinoshita

Naoki Kinoshita

  • President

President, Ankino Planning LLC Former CEO, Restaurant Nippon

Erina Yoshida

Erina Yoshida

  • Vice President

Angel Share

Rona Tison

Rona Tison

  • Secretary

EVP Itoen North America

Kazutaka Mori

Kazutaka Mori

  • Treasurer

Retired Partner KPMG

Takashi Sato

Takashi Sato

  • Board Member

San J Int’l, Inc.

Kenshiro Uki

Kenshiro Uki

  • Board Member

Sun Noodle

Takuya Kato

Takuya Kato

  • Board Member

Sushi Yasuda

Taiki Wakayama

Taiki Wakayama

  • Board Member

W&E Hospitality

Ami Nakanishi

Ami Nakanishi

  • Board Member

Mutual Trading

Makoto Suzuki

Makoto Suzuki

  • Board Member

Brooklyn Ball Factory

Keita Sato

Keita Sato

  • Board Member

Hatsuhana Restaruant

Kakusaburo Sakurai

Kakusaburo Sakurai

  • Board Member

Wasan

Izuru Yoshimoto

Izuru Yoshimoto

  • Board Member

Ootoya

EL Kamada

EL Kamada

  • Board Member

Executive Adviser

Kazutaka Kato

Kazutaka Kato

  • Executive Adviser

Japan NPO

Yosuke Honjo

Yosuke Honjo

  • Executive Adviser

Itoen North America, Inc.

Chef Financial Officer

Riko Iinuma

Advisor

Motoatsu Sakurai

  • Advisor

NPO, Gov Affair

Josh Oonishi

  • Advisor

Health & Hygiene

Nobu Matsuhisa

  • Advisor

Nobu Restaurant

Tadao Yoshida

  • Advisor

Japan Village

Tomoko Oomori

  • Advisor

Katsu Zen USA

Our Partners