IMURAYA USA, INC.　
Bringing Japanese-Style Confectioneries to the U.S.

Imuraya, a Japanese-style confectionery announced that it will establish a branch in Orange County’s City of Irvine at a press conference held on April 10, 2009. The American brand will be named IMURAYA USA, INC.

The new company is actually a tie up between three major Japanese companies: Imuraya Confectionery Co., Ltd., Maeda-en USA and JFC International. The presidents of each company participated in the press conference, as there was an official signing of the alliance.

This is the first time in the U.S. that three Japanese food companies (production, sales and distribution) have merged to a faster and more efficient workflow.

IMURAYA USA, INC. will first start with producing more Maeda-en green tea ice cream and mochi ice products, and they strive to market these products in to the mainstream U.S. market.

The company also is planning to build a new ice cream factory in Orange County by summer 2010. They will produce Imuraya red bean ice cream bars and other frozen Japanese-style confectioneries.

The Japan Film Commission
Japan Strives to Aide the Economy through Movies

Japan announced its launching of the Japan Film Commission at a reception in Los Angeles on April 15, 2009. The Japan Film Commission will assist film crews from around the world by promoting filming locations in Japan.

The commission is a non-profit public organization that attracts film crews to shoot in respective localities in Japan and offer support so that film crews can accomplish their work smoothly.

There are over 100 local film commissions in Japan. However, countries around the world voiced that a national commission would be further helpful.

The Japanese government says it plans to expand Japan’s content business from 14-billion-dollar to 20-billion-dollar entity by 2015.