Press Release

Tokyo July 15, 2016: On July 20, 2016, Japan Airlines (JAL) will provide a special in-flight meal in First Class and Business Class on select international flights departing from Tokyo (Narita and Haneda), to promote recognition of Tomodachi Day (Friend’s Day).

On July 20, 1969, the United States’ Apollo spaceship, the first manned mission, landed on the moon successfully. An Argentine psychologist was deeply touched by this remarkable feat, and wrote letters to 1,000 of his friends. To commemorate this, the people of Central America and South America mark July 20 as “a day to confirm friendship” for calling, writing, or giving gifts to friends in person.

Mr. Kundo Koyama, a broadcast writer and general advisor for JAL international products and services who conceives novel ideas for providing a travel experience customers have never expected. Mr. Koyama is promoting Tomodachi Day in Japan through various projects.

To support Mr. Koyama’s project and increase public recognition of Tomodachi Day, JAL will serve Tomodachi Rice Bowl produced by Chef Yosuke Suga of SUGALABO for the second meal in First Class and Business Class on select international flights, on July 20, 2016. Additionally the airline will start to introduce this new a la carte menu in First Class on international flights departing from Tokyo, starting September 1, 2016.

Tomodachi Rice Bowl is a menu created by Chef Suga using basil and tomato, which are “friends”. Basil, called a companion plant, promotes the growth of tomatoes when planted together, and absorbs excess water to sweeten and improve the flavor of tomatoes. Because this relationship can be compared to friends helping each other grow, Chef Suga named this dish “Tomodachi Rice Bowl.”

JAL will continue to embrace new challenges of delivering the spirit of Japanese culture to both Japanese and overseas customers through its unique and delicious in-flight Japanese meals.

Applicable classes:       First Class and Business Class

Applicable routes:        Flights from Narita to Chicago, Boston, New York (JFK) (JL006),

Los Angeles, Frankfurt, Helsinki, Sydney

and Jakarta (available only in First Class on JL725)

Flights from Haneda to San Francisco, London (LHR) and Paris (CDG)

Applicable period：       July 20, 2016 (available in international First Class, starting September 1)

＜Reference＞

Kundo Koyama

Born in Kumamoto Prefecture in 1964. Broadcast writer and scriptwriter. Created innovative TV programs such as “Kanossa no Kutsujoku” and “Iron Chef.” Wrote the script for the film “Departures, “which won many awards in Japan and abroad. Current activities include writing, producer of Kumamon, the popular black bear mascot, as advisor to Kumamoto Prefecture, owner of Shimokawa Saryo restaurant in Kyoto, and general advisor for JAL’s new international products and services.

Yosuke Suga　（SUGALABO）

Born 1976 in Nagoya.
At the age of 26, Mr.Suga was nominated as Executive Chef of "L'ATELIER de Jo・ Robuchon" in Roppongi Hills, Tokyo. As a favorate disciple of Jo・ Robuchon, he took part in opening many restaurants. In April 2015, he opened his own laboratory "SUGALABO inc" to express the fineness of Japanese food culture.

*Please see the attached file.
  20160715-JAL Serves “Tomodachi Rice Bowl” on Select International Flights.pdf