Consulate Chef Asai Explores "Food and Diplomacy" at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (November 2, 2026)

On November 2, Chef Asai of the Consulate General of Japan participated in the "International Community Health in Japanese" course at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Chef Asai joined Professor Satoko Okabe of Koriyama Women's University for a dialogue on "Food and Diplomacy," accompanied by a cooking demonstration and tasting.
 

The event began with remarks from Professor Aya Goto, Director of the Takemi Program in International Health, explaining the aim of the lecture, followed by opening remarks from Consul General Takahashi, who introduced Chef Asai’s culinary initiatives. The Consul General highlighted Chef Asai's creative approach to culinary diplomacy, noting that the chef utilizes local New England ingredients and tailors seasonal dishes and sake to reflect guests’ personal connections to Japan—often sparking warm and engaging conversations at official dinners.
 

The lecture, attended by Japanese medical professionals including doctors, nurses, and nutritionists, concluded with a dynamic Q&A session. Participants engaged in lively discussions regarding the chef's culinary techniques and the operational challenges arising from regulatory differences between Japan and the U.S.