Japanese Horse meat Sashimi!

nadiahcore
Mar 3, 2022
3 min read

I have heard of chicken sashimi before apart from seafood ones.. but horse sashimi... would you taste it?

Image courtesy of Abroad in Japan Youtube Channel. Click the link to watch their channel.

Somewhere in January this year, I was invited by Japan International Corporation Agency (JICE) to join the Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths (JENESYS) for their Online Exchange Program to gain more knowledge on Japan's culture, economy and politics.

The participants from different ASEAN countries

As a Japan enthusiast, I am learning more from time to time, especially during my career break. I'm taking this opportunity to develop myself so that I am able to promote my tour business plan once the covid ends.

Before joining the program, I have my own impression of Japan, based on my years of experience staying in Japan as well as re-visiting the country. By far the most thing I have in my mind is that, they are truly hardworking people and never give up until they meet their target.

I used to stay in Japan for 5 years in the 90s due to my father's diplomat's posting. Hence, Japanese people and the country have a soft spot in me. I was sent to Japanese kindergarten and also an international school in Tokyo.

Hence, during my participation in JENESYS's Program called Exchange of Young People Concerned with Politics, I learned a lot of new things within 3 days.

These are the highlighted issues that captured my attention the most :

Japan has no natural resources. They have to import steel and turn it into machines or useful products for the country as well exporting the products.
The Japanese take seriously the Sustainability Goal Development including the microplastics products
The population are decreasing and newborn babies are declining
The female population is currently 88%
Apart from typical seafood sashimi, there is also horse sashimi sold in one of the traditional Japanese restaurants in Asakusa, Tokyo. Even one of the Japanese coordinators also did not have any knowledge about it.
Japan is taking seriously turning their local authentic cuisine into Halal food dedicated to Muslim tourists
Over the years, Asakusa received overwhelming tourists and visitors and it is very crowded. Hence, the council is planning to develop the area similar to New Year city’s street and transportation arrangement. They are also working closely with the retail owners/vendors to meet the physical shop to today's trendy style as to attract the youngsters to visit the area. Please take note that Asakusa is a hot spot for tourists and is recommended to be part of your traveling plans.

Asakusa... a must-visit spot to Japan.

Some sharing sessions by JENESYS

There are more to these points and I wish you guys could join the program if you are really interested in knowing more about Japan.

The best thing is that they actually conducted a physical program for ASEAN students and youth to promote Japanese culture and country. I wished I had the opportunity to join the physical ones in the past but hoping to have some in the future.

I hope I have shared some interesting and new information about Japan here. Please let me know in the comment what other interesting info you have gained while traveling to Japan or reading any interesting news.!