Jazz apple anniversary day Japan

New Zealand company T&G Global is preparing to mark the seventh anniversary of Jazz apples' first appearance in Japan.

The first container of New Zealand-grown Jazz apples arrived in the country seven years ago at the end of June.

“Since then Japanese apple lovers have really embraced Jazz to the extent it is now the number one premium imported apple in Japan,” the company stated in a media release.

The Jazz season in Japan runs from May until August, during which time an estimated 50 apples will be eaten every minute.

At a special celebration in Tokyo yesterday, chairman of the Japan Anniversary Association Kiyoshi Kase presented T&G Global’s country manager for Japan, Tatsuya Kakemoto, with a certificate to officially mark the new day at an event held at the New Zealand Embassy and hosted by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise.

Kakemoto says the occasion was a memorable success and bodes well for a month-long lead up to the anniversary itself on 28 June.