News from JNTO

Tea is something that is always by our side, a part of our lives. As a drink and a source of relaxation, tea enriches our daily lives; people the world over feel an affinity towards tea. Recent research into the beneficial properties of green tea has produced various results including that tea can prevent aging and obesity, as well as prevent the onset of dementia. The 3rd World O-CHA (Tea) Festival 2007 was held in November 2007 with representatives from 26 countries and territories, including Japan. The 2007 Festival marked the largest international exchange through tea to date, with over 100,000 visitors gathering to experience the wonder of tea. Due to the globalization of economic activities and ongoing concerns about food safety, tea and its surrounding environment are now experiencing dramatic changes. Thus, the World O-CHA Festival provides the perfect opportunity to make use of our international network and serve as the venue for a necessary forum where tea-producing and tea-consuming countries can gather to discuss and exchange opinions.

With this in mind, the 4th World O-CHA (Tea) Festival will be held in the fall of 2010 with the aim of promoting the tea industry, tea culture and the academic research of tea. For more information website : http://www.o-cha2010.jp/english/index.html