Healthy Food Education Day

What Is Healthy Food Education Day?

August 18 is "Healthy Food Education Day" in Japan, established by the Japan Health Food Education Association based on the wordplay that combining the characters for "eight" (八) and "eighteen" (十八) forms the kanji for "rice" (米).

The Character for "Rice" and What It Represents

The kanji for rice, 米, is said to be composed of the characters for "eight" and "ten-eight" (八十八), reflecting a traditional belief that rice cultivation requires as many as eighty-eight steps of labor. Healthy Food Education Day was established around this character to promote awareness of Japan's food culture and food education.

• Origin: Based on the wordplay that "eight" (八) plus "eighteen" (十八) forms the kanji for rice (米)
• Established by: The Japan Health Food Education Association
• Purpose: To promote awareness of Japanese-style diets and food education

The Appeal of a Rice-Centered Japanese Diet

A traditional Japanese diet centered on steamed rice, paired with soup and side dishes, is known for making balanced nutrition easier to achieve. Healthy Food Education Day is a good opportunity to reconsider the makeup of your everyday meals.

How to Spend Today

• Build a meal around rice as the centerpiece
• Talk with your children about the idea of food education
• Learn about different rice-growing regions and varieties
• Plan a nutritionally balanced menu

A Grain of Rice, a World of Food Awareness

Healthy Food Education Day is a chance to reflect on the importance of rice and food education in the Japanese diet. On August 18, take a moment to appreciate your daily meals and think about what healthy eating means to you.