Current Events #2: The power of washoku in foreign policy

This article, “Japan successfully introduces Washoku – traditional Japanese food culture in India”, was written by Mamta on Asian Community News. It provides an example of how washoku has become a key tool of Japanese diplomacy. In celebration of Japanese Food Day (Nov. 4th) and the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relationships between Japan and India, the former organized the India-Japan Symposium on Food and Agriculture in New Delhi. During the symposium, held in 2022, the Japanese Embassy and other Japanese government agencies educated participants about washoku and the Japanese culture, customs, values embedded within it (e.g., a deep respect for nature and natural ingredients) through demonstrations, lectures, workshops, and actual opportunities to eat dishes and ingredients. This article demonstrates how the Japanese government uses washoku to establish a network of exchange and trade, one that includes food, cooking methods, products, people, foreign policy goals, and cultural values. Through the symposium, Japan invested in business interests, exports, and food training programs. As host, the Japanese Embassy provided a space for networking among those in both Japan and India’s food industries, academia, and governments. For government officials in particular, catering washoku to Indian food culture (e.g., showcasing vegetarian washoku dishes, cooking with millet) became a way to strengthen political ties, especially on the international stage. India proposed 2023 as the International Year of Millet at the UN and it is the 2023 president of G20. As a UN member and 2023 president of G7, Japan used this event to support the foreign policy initiatives of its ally and build relationships between G20 and G7. However, even though this symposium aimed to  “[...] deepen culinary culture exchange between Japan and India” (Mamta), it seemed to me that this exchange was mostly one-directional, from Japan to India. Ultimately, Japan seems like it will benefit more from this exchange than India because of how washoku elevates the global relevance of the former. The increased international presence (and power) of Japan depends on a paradox. On the one hand, washoku epitomizes what it means to be Japanese through the sourcing, cooking, preparation, and consumption of traditional Japanese ingredients and cuisine. On the other hand, washoku (and thus Japan) can represent and be loved by everyone from all over the world, especially when adapted to local cultural contexts. Thus, washoku allows the Japanese government to promote a certain image of Japan through its food. Japan is a country steeped in a rich history of vibrant traditions relevant not just to itself but also other countries and their agricultural and food industries, economies, and foreign policies.