Japan's Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Tetsushi Sakamoto, promoted Hokkaido scallops and oysters from Okayama and Hiroshima at a promotional event in Brazil attended by about 140 people from the catering and distribution industries. The event, which also featured shochu and food from Kumamoto Prefecture, aims to expand scallop exports to Brazil and raise awareness of Japanese ingredients. This initiative comes as Japan seeks new markets in Europe and Asia following China's suspension of Japanese aquatic product imports due to the Fukushima water discharge. Brazil, with its significant Japanese community, is seen as a promising new export destination. Sakamoto's visit coincides with the G20 Agriculture Ministers' Meeting in Cuiaba, Brazil.