--- title: Japanese Food Market Insights | Kazuhito Ito (3) description: After joining SoftBank Corp. in 2004, he played a key role in launching the company's enterprise business and developing business strategies, gaining extensive experience in new business development and corporate growth. In April 2019, he founded umamill Inc. through SoftBank's internal entrepreneurship program. Today, as part of the SoftBank Group, he leads a platform that supports the global export of Japanese food products, helping Japanese companies expand into international markets and promoting the growth of Japanese food exports worldwide. (3) --- [Skip to content](https://www.umamill.com/en/japanese-food-market-insights/author/kazuhito-ito/page/3#main-content) English - [日本語](https://www.umamill.com/ja/japanese-food-market-insights) - [English](https://www.umamill.com/en/japanese-food-market-insights/author/kazuhito-ito/page/3) English [![umamill\_logo\_横](https://www.umamill.com/hs-fs/hubfs/umamill_2024%E6%94%B9%E4%BF%AE/umamill_logo_%E6%A8%AA.png?width=251&height=80&name=umamill_logo_%E6%A8%AA.png "umamill_logo_横")](https://www.umamill.com/) - [Blog Top](https://www.umamill.com/en/japanese-food-market-insights) - Subscribe for Free - [About umamill](https://www.umamill.com/) - Language - [Japanese](https://www.umamill.com/ja/japanese-food-market-insights) - [English](https://www.umamill.com/en/japanese-food-market-insights) - [Contact](https://contact.umamill.com) # Japanese Food Market Insights **Blog** ## Recent Articles - Filter by: - [All](https://www.umamill.com/en/japanese-food-market-insights/all) - [USA](https://www.umamill.com/en/japanese-food-market-insights/tag/usa) - [Analysis of the Latest Trends](https://www.umamill.com/en/japanese-food-market-insights/tag/analysis-of-the-latest-trends) - [Trade Knowledge](https://www.umamill.com/en/japanese-food-market-insights/tag/trade-knowledge) - [Australia](https://www.umamill.com/en/japanese-food-market-insights/tag/australia) - [Japanese food supplier](https://www.umamill.com/en/japanese-food-market-insights/tag/japanese-food-supplier) [![](https://www.umamill.com/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/Japanese%20Condiments%20Display%20in%20Modern%20Kitchen.png)](https://www.umamill.com/en/japanese-food-market-insights/japanese-foodservice-pantry-sourcing-condiments-seasonings-and-menu-fit) [USA](https://www.umamill.com/en/japanese-food-market-insights/tag/usa), [Trade Knowledge](https://www.umamill.com/en/japanese-food-market-insights/tag/trade-knowledge) - [Kazuhito Ito](https://www.umamill.com/en/japanese-food-market-insights/author/kazuhito-ito) - July 30, 2026 ### [Japanese Foodservice Pantry Sourcing: Condiments, Seasonings, and Menu Fit](https://www.umamill.com/en/japanese-food-market-insights/japanese-foodservice-pantry-sourcing-condiments-seasonings-and-menu-fit) What You Will Learn Sourcing Japanese condiments for U.S. foodservice requires buyers to evaluate more than flavor.... [Read more](https://www.umamill.com/en/japanese-food-market-insights/japanese-foodservice-pantry-sourcing-condiments-seasonings-and-menu-fit) [![](https://www.umamill.com/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/Japanese%20Sake%20Tasting%20Room%20with%20Bamboo%20Decor%20and%20Sushi%20Pairing.png)](https://www.umamill.com/en/japanese-food-market-insights/import-ready-japanese-sake-and-shochu-what-u.s.-buyers-should-check) [USA](https://www.umamill.com/en/japanese-food-market-insights/tag/usa), [Trade Knowledge](https://www.umamill.com/en/japanese-food-market-insights/tag/trade-knowledge) - [Kazuhito Ito](https://www.umamill.com/en/japanese-food-market-insights/author/kazuhito-ito) - July 30, 2026 ### [Import-Ready Japanese Sake and Shochu: What U.S. Buyers Should Check](https://www.umamill.com/en/japanese-food-market-insights/import-ready-japanese-sake-and-shochu-what-u.s.-buyers-should-check) Bringing sake, shochu, and awamori to the U.S. market requires more than a compelling product. Importers and buyers... [Read more](https://www.umamill.com/en/japanese-food-market-insights/import-ready-japanese-sake-and-shochu-what-u.s.-buyers-should-check) [![](https://www.umamill.com/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/Japanese%20Snacks%20on%20Wooden%20Table%20with%20Traditional%20Packaging.png)](https://www.umamill.com/en/japanese-food-market-insights/japanese-snack-wholesale-domestic-distributor-or-direct-import) [USA](https://www.umamill.com/en/japanese-food-market-insights/tag/usa), [Trade Knowledge](https://www.umamill.com/en/japanese-food-market-insights/tag/trade-knowledge) - [Kazuhito Ito](https://www.umamill.com/en/japanese-food-market-insights/author/kazuhito-ito) - July 29, 2026 ### [Japanese Snack Wholesale: Domestic Distributor or Direct Import?](https://www.umamill.com/en/japanese-food-market-insights/japanese-snack-wholesale-domestic-distributor-or-direct-import) What You Will Learn When selling Japanese snacks in the United States, deciding whether to purchase from a U.S.-based... [Read more](https://www.umamill.com/en/japanese-food-market-insights/japanese-snack-wholesale-domestic-distributor-or-direct-import) [![](https://www.umamill.com/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/Japanese%20Condiments%20and%20Sushi%20on%20Wooden%20Table.png)](https://www.umamill.com/en/japanese-food-market-insights/sauces-small-plates-and-low-labor-menu-innovation) [Analysis of the Latest Trends](https://www.umamill.com/en/japanese-food-market-insights/tag/analysis-of-the-latest-trends), [USA](https://www.umamill.com/en/japanese-food-market-insights/tag/usa) - [Kazuhito Ito](https://www.umamill.com/en/japanese-food-market-insights/author/kazuhito-ito) - July 29, 2026 ### [Sauces, Small Plates, and Low-Labor Menu Innovation](https://www.umamill.com/en/japanese-food-market-insights/sauces-small-plates-and-low-labor-menu-innovation) On July 22, 2026, The Food Institute reported that fast-food chains are leaning on sauces and dips to create... [Read more](https://www.umamill.com/en/japanese-food-market-insights/sauces-small-plates-and-low-labor-menu-innovation) [![](https://www.umamill.com/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/Japanese%20Inspired%20Beverage%20Arrangement%20on%20Wooden%20Table.png)](https://www.umamill.com/en/japanese-food-market-insights/matcha-yuzu-and-textured-drinks-signal-a-u.s.-small-treat-opportunity-for-japanese-food-importers) [Analysis of the Latest Trends](https://www.umamill.com/en/japanese-food-market-insights/tag/analysis-of-the-latest-trends), [USA](https://www.umamill.com/en/japanese-food-market-insights/tag/usa) - [Kazuhito Ito](https://www.umamill.com/en/japanese-food-market-insights/author/kazuhito-ito) - July 29, 2026 ### [Matcha, Yuzu, and Textured Drinks Signal a U.S. “Small Treat” Opportunity for Japanese Food Importers](https://www.umamill.com/en/japanese-food-market-insights/matcha-yuzu-and-textured-drinks-signal-a-u.s.-small-treat-opportunity-for-japanese-food-importers) In the U.S. foodservice and retail market, consumers are still looking for small, affordable ways to feel a little... [Read more](https://www.umamill.com/en/japanese-food-market-insights/matcha-yuzu-and-textured-drinks-signal-a-u.s.-small-treat-opportunity-for-japanese-food-importers) [![](https://www.umamill.com/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/Urban%20Harmony%20Cherry%20Blossoms%20and%20Skyscrapers%20in%20a%20Vibrant%20Market.png)](https://www.umamill.com/en/japanese-food-market-insights/importing-japanese-food-to-the-u.s.-fda-fsvp-labeling) [USA](https://www.umamill.com/en/japanese-food-market-insights/tag/usa), [Trade Knowledge](https://www.umamill.com/en/japanese-food-market-insights/tag/trade-knowledge) - [Kazuhito Ito](https://www.umamill.com/en/japanese-food-market-insights/author/kazuhito-ito) - July 28, 2026 ### [Importing Japanese Food to the U.S. : FDA, FSVP & Labeling](https://www.umamill.com/en/japanese-food-market-insights/importing-japanese-food-to-the-u.s.-fda-fsvp-labeling) Importing Japanese food products into the United States requires more than FDA approval. Businesses must address... [Read more](https://www.umamill.com/en/japanese-food-market-insights/importing-japanese-food-to-the-u.s.-fda-fsvp-labeling) [![](https://www.umamill.com/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/Japanese%20Tea%20Garden%20with%20Matcha%20Plants%20and%20Traditional%20Tea%20House.png)](https://www.umamill.com/en/japanese-food-market-insights/2026-guide-to-sourcing-matcha-for-the-u.s.-market) [USA](https://www.umamill.com/en/japanese-food-market-insights/tag/usa), [Trade Knowledge](https://www.umamill.com/en/japanese-food-market-insights/tag/trade-knowledge) - [Kazuhito Ito](https://www.umamill.com/en/japanese-food-market-insights/author/kazuhito-ito) - July 28, 2026 ### [A 2026 Guide to Sourcing Matcha for the U.S. Market](https://www.umamill.com/en/japanese-food-market-insights/2026-guide-to-sourcing-matcha-for-the-u.s.-market) What You Will Learn Sourcing matcha for the U.S. market in 2026 requires more than finding a product with good color... [Read more](https://www.umamill.com/en/japanese-food-market-insights/2026-guide-to-sourcing-matcha-for-the-u.s.-market) [![](https://www.umamill.com/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/Japanese%20Restaurant%20Interior%20with%20Traditional%20Decor%20and%20Sushi%20Dining.png)](https://www.umamill.com/en/japanese-food-market-insights/when-japanese-restaurants-face-cost-pressure-import-strategy-beyond-demand-signals) [Analysis of the Latest Trends](https://www.umamill.com/en/japanese-food-market-insights/tag/analysis-of-the-latest-trends), [USA](https://www.umamill.com/en/japanese-food-market-insights/tag/usa) - [Kazuhito Ito](https://www.umamill.com/en/japanese-food-market-insights/author/kazuhito-ito) - July 28, 2026 ### [When Japanese Restaurants Face Cost Pressure: Import Strategy Beyond Demand Signals](https://www.umamill.com/en/japanese-food-market-insights/when-japanese-restaurants-face-cost-pressure-import-strategy-beyond-demand-signals) Eater NY's July 24 restaurant closing roundup reported that Wasabi Japanese Restaurant in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, is... [Read more](https://www.umamill.com/en/japanese-food-market-insights/when-japanese-restaurants-face-cost-pressure-import-strategy-beyond-demand-signals) [PREVIOUS](https://www.umamill.com/en/japanese-food-market-insights/author/kazuhito-ito/page/2) [1](https://www.umamill.com/en/japanese-food-market-insights) [2](https://www.umamill.com/en/japanese-food-market-insights/author/kazuhito-ito/page/2) [3](https://www.umamill.com/en/japanese-food-market-insights/author/kazuhito-ito/page/3) NEXT [![umamill\_logo\_横](https://www.umamill.com/hs-fs/hubfs/umamill_2024%E6%94%B9%E4%BF%AE/umamill_logo_%E6%A8%AA.png?width=251&height=80&name=umamill_logo_%E6%A8%AA.png "umamill_logo_横")](https://www.umamill.com) umamill is a platform that connects international buyers seeking Japanese food products with food manufacturers in Japan. The service is operated by umamill Inc., a Japan-based company. ### For Global buyers - [blog Home](https://www.umamill.com/japanese-food-market-insights/all) - [Services](https://www.umamill.jp/) - [Request for sample order](https://www.umamill.jp/Registration) - [Benefits of using umamill](https://www.umamill.jp/AboutUmamillPage) - [Contact us](https://contact.umamill.com/) #### About - [About umamill](https://www.umamill.com/) - [Privacy Policy](https://www.umamill.jp/PrivacyPolicyPage) - [Terms of Service](https://www.umamill.jp/TermsOfServicePage) - [FAQ](https://www.umamill.jp/FaqPage) --- © 2026 umamill Corp.