Pineapple

(From August 17 = Pineapple Day)

Yutaka Ueda

Chairman of Pine Co., Ltd. / 1972 Econ

Thanks to your support, our company has reached its 70th anniversary. Pine Ame was born in 1951, and throughout its 70-year history, it has continued to provide emotional healing when people pop one into their mouths.

Pineapples and bananas were luxury items after the war. We utilized the ring shape of the pineapple for the candy and have made various improvements over the years based on the principle of "fluidity and immutability" to reach where we are today.

Last year, a new factory dedicated to Pine Ame was completed and is now in operation to meet the high demand.

"It's just candy, yet it's so much more than candy."

It is a mysterious candy.

Our company has a DNA that values a corporate culture of constant challenge, sudden inspiration, and creativity. If you believe in your own sensibilities and face challenges with courage, even if you fail, it is never a waste.

What we must always consider is:

"What can we do to solve a customer's deficiency? Our company exists to provide that response."

It is no exaggeration to say this.

Shin Asaeda

Chairman of Sanda-kai (Japan-Taiwan Exchange Mita-kai) / 1978 Comm

When summer comes, I remember the sweet and delicious Taiwanese pineapples—edible even to the core—that I often ate while stationed in Taiwan.

While pineapples are said to have been discovered by Columbus in the New World and spread globally, it seems the modernization of the pineapple industry in Taiwan was advanced by the hands of Japanese people before the war.

Because the leaves of a pineapple resemble the tail of the "Feng-huang" (phoenix), an auspicious bird, it is written as "Feng-li" (鳳梨) as a lucky fruit that brings good fortune, and it is highly popular even in the fruit kingdom of Taiwan.

Earlier this year, when China—the largest importer—stopped importing Taiwanese pineapples due to cross-strait tensions, Taiwan fell into a predicament. Japan reached out to help, and a movement to support sales expanded within Japan, leading to voices of gratitude from Taiwan. This event demonstrated the strong bond between Japan and Taiwan, which received significant support from Taiwan after the Great East Japan Earthquake. For members of the Sanda-kai, many of whom have experience living in Taiwan as members of the Taiwan Mita-kai, it was a heartwarming feeling. Why not try a Taiwanese pineapple this summer, as they are appearing more frequently in supermarkets?

Izumi Chibana

Researcher, Institute of Developing Economies, Japan External Trade Organization / 1994 SFC / 1997 LL.M.

Driving south from Manila for about an hour, you reach Laguna Province, where scenic views surrounded by lakes and mountains unfold. Since the provincial capital, San Pablo, is located at the foot of the Sierra Madre Mountains, the climate is relatively cool for the Philippines. The main attraction is the hot springs, popular with locals, which I often visited when I wanted to escape the hustle and bustle of Manila for a quiet weekend. My greatest pleasure was buying buko (coconut) pie and pineapple cake at a bakery on the shores of Lake Laguna. The owner is a woman who made her fortune working in Hong Kong and returned home in glory; after building a house for her family, she opened her own shop. In the 2021 Global Gender Gap Report, the Philippines ranked 17th (by far the highest in Asia), and there are many women who utilize their individuality and exercise initiative (by comparison, Japan ranked 120th). The owner's handmade pineapple cakes, made with locally sourced ingredients while briskly managing the shop with her family, are not only sweet and delicious but also full of warm encouragement and nourishment for those who receive them.

Yuka Honda

Project Associate Professor, Keio University Graduate School of Media and Governance

The representative tropical fruit is the pineapple. Often called "pine" for short, the pineapple is the brightest yellow fruit among chromatic colors, and many people likely feel bright and energized just by looking at it. Additionally, August 17 is designated as "Pineapple Day" in Japan due to a pun on the numbers 8 (pa), 1 (i), and 7 (na). While we cannot travel to tropical regions during the 2021 summer vacation in Japan due to COVID-19, I hope you can enjoy a tropical mood with pineapples. Furthermore, pineapples are rich in Vitamin C, which is responsible for antioxidant effects and collagen production; dietary fiber, which aids bowel movements; and glucosylceramide, which is said to have skin-beautifying effects. Recent research on the continuous consumption of pineapple (100g/day) suggested improvements in the intestinal environment and defecation status, as well as skin moisturizing, whitening, and wrinkle-improving effects. Pineapples make you feel energized just by looking at them and can be expected to be an ally for health and beauty. Please enjoy some this summer to make your mind and body even more energetic.