M’sian is Japan food ambassador

Passionate: Ling has played a leading role in the promotion of sake while Kawasaki is a master chef in Japanese fine dining.

KUALA LUMPUR: Japan has appointed a Malaysian as one of two Japanese Cuisine Goodwill Ambassadors to promote its food culture.

Thomas Ling, a principal partner of a food and beverage hospitality industry-focused consultancy firm here, has played a leading role in the promotion of Japanese sake in Malaysia, said the Japanese Embassy.

The other appointee is Japanese Naoya Kawasaki, a master chef of a fine dining Japanese restaurant in Kuala Lumpur which specialises in sushi and sashimi.

The embassy said the appointments were made by Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

“They are expected to promote Japanese food and dietary culture both inside and outside Japan through activities such as providing advice from a professional standpoint to overseas professionals specialising in Japanese cuisine, ” it said in a statement.

The embassy said Ling has actively engaged in the promotion of Japanese dietary culture including sake to restaurants and importers in Malaysia, in collaboration with various Japanese sake breweries.

It said Kawasaki had contributed to the development of Japanese food and dietary culture in Malaysia by introducing Japanese cuisine such as sushi.

The embassy said that washoku, or Japanese cuisine, was designated as a Unesco Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2013 and was loved by many Malaysians.

“With the growth of washoku, sake which is a Japanese traditional alcoholic beverage strongly associated with Japanese climate and culture has also gained popularity in Malaysia.

“We expect the popularity of Japanese food and dietary culture in Malaysia to lead to a deeper understanding of Japanese culture and an increase in visitors from Malaysia to Japan, ” it said.