Ham Day (Hamu no Hi)

What Is Ham Day?

August 6 is "Ham Day," established by the Japan Ham and Sausage Industry Cooperative based on a wordplay where the numbers 8 ("ha") and 6 ("mu") combine to sound like "ham," with the aim of introducing more people to the deliciousness and appeal of ham.

The Origins and Background of Ham Day

Ham is a preserved food made by curing, cooking, and often smoking pork and other meats — records show it was already being made in ancient Rome. In Japan, ham-making arrived in the Meiji era, and domestic production is said to have begun with techniques learned from foreigners.

• Established by: The Japan Ham and Sausage Industry Cooperative
• Origin: A wordplay on the numbers 8 ("ha") and 6 ("mu")
• Purpose: To promote ham consumption and showcase its great taste

Trivia About Ham

• Loin ham vs. boneless ham: Loin ham is made from the pork loin, while boneless ham is made from the leg with the bone removed.
• Compared to prosciutto (raw ham): Regular ham is cooked, while prosciutto-style "raw ham" is made purely through curing, drying, and aging without cooking.
• The word's origin: The English word "ham" originally referred to an animal's thigh, and came to mean cured pork leg.
• Loin ham was born in Japan: August Lohmeyer, a German former prisoner of war from World War I who went on to work in meat processing in Japan, is credited with creating loin ham in 1921. Its light flavor suited Japanese tastes and it became widely popular.

Tips for Enjoying Ham Day

From sandwiches to salads to stir-fries, ham is an incredibly versatile ingredient. Why not use this day to try a different type of ham than usual, or make a dish where ham takes center stage?