The National Federation of Edible Oil and Fat Distributors held its 73rd annual general meeting in Tokyo, at which Marukichi President Kenji Kimura (木村顕治) became the new chair. He is the first chair based in Osaka to take office in several decades and pledged to strengthen horizontal coordination and intergenerational ties under the new structure.
The National Federation of Edible Oil and Fat Distributors (Zenyu-Hanren) held its 73rd annual general meeting in Tokyo on the 16th. Marukichi (Higashiosaka) President Kenji Kimura (木村顕治) became the new chair and outlined a policy of strengthening both horizontal and vertical ties. The vice chairs included Yoichiro Tateno (館野洋一郎), president of Tateno Corporation; Koki Udagawa (宇田川公喜), president of Udagawa Shoten; and Go Shimada (島田豪), president of Shimasho, as well as newly appointed Masayoshi Nagase (長瀬正佳), president of Kametama.
In his inaugural address, new Chair Kenji Kimura (木村顕治) said, “I want to bring in a fresh perspective,” and indicated his intention to advance future activities while building on the current administration’s achievements. He also discussed the significance of a chair based in Osaka and said he aimed to strengthen nationwide cooperation and ties with younger generations.
At the reception, Chair Takahisa Kuno (久野貴久), president of Nisshin Oillio Group, and others cited changes in the environment, including the situation in the Middle East, the weak yen and extreme weather, and stressed the importance of sharing on-the-ground perspectives and deepening cooperation through broad-area coordination. Vice Chair Masayoshi Nagase (長瀬正佳) said he would use the energy of younger members to raise member morale.
At the meeting, guest speaker Mitsuaki Shindo (新藤光明), head of the Food Manufacturing Division at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, discussed “the importance of edible oils, fats and food ingredients for commercial use on the premise of a stable supply.” The meeting served to reaffirm the importance of cooperation between edible-oil producers and distributors.