JAL, which has bases throughout Japan, has been continuously implementing regional revitalization initiatives (currently the “JAL Furusato Project”), and in August 2020 launched the “JAL Furusato Ambassadors,” cabin crew members selected through an in-house recruitment process who move to the area to promote initiatives in their respective regions. In December of the same year, JAL appointed “JAL Hometown Cheering Troops” who are involved in regional revitalization while serving as flight attendants. The aim is to develop products and solve regional issues for hometowns and other regions with which they have connections, utilizing the knowledge they have accumulated as flight attendants.
We spoke with Miho Yoshida, a JAL Furusato Ambassador who is involved in promoting Miyazaki wine in Miyazaki Prefecture.
–What can you tell us about your initiatives?
Many people think of Miyazaki Prefecture in terms of “shochu” (distilled spirit), but in fact, “wine” is also recommended!
Although Miyazaki Prefecture’s climatic conditions are not conducive to grape cultivation, there are many wineries that have created delicious wines using their own unique methods through repeated trial and error, with a focus on “locally produced grapes”. And now their tastes are recognized around the world!
JAL Miyazaki Branch will also implement various initiatives to further promote such “Miyazaki Wine”.
–How are you involved in this effort?
JAL Furusato Ambassadors have become members of the “Miyazaki Wine Promotion Executive Committee” this year, participating in activities to promote Miyazaki wine together with wine producers and companies in and outside Miyazaki Prefecture.
Since last year, we have also been assisting in the harvesting of grapes for wine and visiting wineries with members of the Miyazaki Branch and the JAL Furusato Oen-tai (hometown support group), and we experience the charm of Miyazaki wine every day in close contact with the producers.
–What are your future plans and prospects?
The Executive Committee conducts PR activities each year in conjunction with the release date of “Miyazaki Wine Nouveau.” This year, a joint event was held by three companies: AEON Kyushu, Amu Plaza Miyazaki, and JAL.
JAL held the “Miyazaki Wine Nouveau Fair” at Miyazaki Bougainvillea Airport, the gateway to Miyazaki, in cooperation with the Miyazaki Airport Building, where JAL hometown ambassadors were involved in the planning and promoted Miyazaki wine in their uniforms on the day. The ceremony to celebrate the release of Miyazaki Wine Nouveau was held for the first time with a live broadcast connecting the main venue and two other venues, and the ambassadors participated as reporters from Miyazaki Airport.
Miyazaki Wine sets the third Saturday of October as “Miyazaki Nouveau Wine Lifting Day” every year, and this year the ban was lifted on October 21!
–What is your message to travelers?
In “Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan’s Hinata,” rich in nature and blessed with sunshine, you will be filled with many happy smiles. And “Miyazaki Wine,” filled with the passion of each winery, will surely bring you happy times and memories in Miyazaki.
Why not visit Miyazaki Prefecture and find the “Miyazaki wine” of your choice?
I’ll be waiting for you in Miyazaki!
© Source travel watch