I love curry.I get excited about spices.I find myself a bit curious about India.

That might just be your very first step in connecting with the wider world. After all, food is universal, and “delicious” can lead to all sorts of new encounters. Meet people over a meal, and who knows what might spark from there? Welcome to a slightly futuristic evening where your “favorites” intersect with India, Japan, and your local community!

Join “Yorimichi Club”, a casual gathering where you can enjoy conversations with people a little different from your usual crowd. This time, our theme is:
“Delicious India! – Food Makes Greate Friendships!”.

India is experiencing remarkable growth, and more and more people from India are coming to Japan. Of course, Indian curry is amazing, but there is so much more to its rich culinary culture. Meanwhile, all kinds of business opportunities are expanding between the two countries. India and Japan are truly a perfect match, and it feels like we’re on the verge of a “best friends forever” kind of relationship. If you have even a little interest in India, why not let food be your starting point and join us here? We believe it’s a step toward creating a future that begins with “fun.”

Our guest of the day is Mr. Prashant Godghate, Chairman of JIIPA (Japan India Industry Promotion Association), an NPO that serves as a bridge between India and Japan through initiatives starting with food and beyond. We’ll also be joined by Mr. Kageyama from ChefooDo, an organization of renowned Japanese chefs, and Ms. Naka from the Tokyo office of Sakai City, home to knives esteemed by chefs worldwide. Alongside their talks, we will invite input from attendees both in-person and online—and sometimes even use AI—to collectively envision a “delicious future” for the world, Japan, and each of us.

No need to worry about language barriers – AI translation will be available!
This is also a great chance for international guests to try speaking Japanese and for Japanese participants to practice communicating in English. Let’s challenge ourselves and have fun together!

We’ll kick things off with a brief introduction to the initiatives at the Minato City’s Industrial Promotion Center, as well as activities from Creative Guild—an offshoot of the Yorimichi-Club. There may also be announcements or speeches from people who are actively working on projects right now. It’s a free-flowing format, so be prepared for surprises or spontaneous new segments. Enjoy the ride! After the main session, we’ll host a networking time where you can talk with guest speakers and other participants.

First-timers and solo attendees are more than welcome; by the time you head home, you’re bound to have new friends. Age, position, and field don’t matter here. Creative Guild’s Shibuya will facilitate the session, ensuring you get the most out of new connections and fresh insights.

If you can’t make it to the venue, feel free to join us online. We’ll be streaming the event, so you can just listen in “radio-style,” and you’re free to come and go as you please. We’ll also have drinks and snacks for in-person attendees.

We look forward to seeing you drop by and enjoy a change of pace with us!

SPEAKERS:
Prashant Godghate
Originally from India, he studied Economics and Sociology at Nagpur University. He joined the Indian Ministry of Commerce and Industry, coming to Japan in 2006 as Deputy Representative of the India Trade Promotion Organization. In 2010, he established JIIPA and now serves as Chairman. Working closely with embassies, government agencies, industry associations, chambers of commerce, and NPOs, he promotes various events and business matching initiatives to strengthen ties between India and Japan.
https://npo-jiipa.org/

○ ChefooDo – Board Member
Yasuhide Kageyama
In 2004, he founded Kokusan Co., Ltd., focusing on “domestic products” and providing total support for business development utilizing regional resources. Since 2011, he has served as a planner, assisting producers nationwide and promoting agricultural, commercial, and industrial collaboration. He is committed to solving social issues through food. As a board member of ChefooDo, he also helps lead initiatives.

Guild名鑑 No.119 　食のプロフェッショナルと拓く未来。ChefooDo 理事 影山 恭英さんが探求する自然体での学びと挑戦

○ Sakai City, Tokyo Office – City Promotion
Mayuko Naka
An official of Osaka’s Sakai City, known for the Mozu Tombs (a UNESCO World Heritage site), as well as historical cultural figures like Sen no Rikyu and Yosano Akiko. She’s stationed in Tokyo to promote Sakai’s charms, build connections beyond its local area, and foster new business and growth back home.

Guild名鑑 No.122　東京と堺で”やってみよう”をやってみよう！堺市東京事務所 中 麻優子さんが取り組む人つなぎ。