JAL Serves "Tomodachi Rice Bowl" on Select International Flights on July 20, 2016, Tomodachi Day (Friendfs Day)

On July 20, 2016, Japan Airlines (JAL) will provide a special in-flight meal in First Class and Business Class on select international flights departing from Tokyo (Narita and Haneda), to promote recognition of Tomodachi Day (Friend's Day).

On July 20, 1969, the United States' Apollo spaceship, the first manned mission, landed on the moon successfully. An Argentine psychologist was deeply touched by this remarkable feat, and wrote letters to 1,000 of his friends. To commemorate this, the people of Central America and South America mark July 20 as "a day to confirm friendship" for calling, writing, or giving gifts to friends in person.

Mr. Kundo Koyama, a broadcast writer and general advisor for JAL international products and services who conceives novel ideas for providing a travel experience customers have never expected. Mr. Koyama is promoting Tomodachi Day in Japan through various projects.

To support Mr. Koyama's project and increase public recognition of Tomodachi Day, JAL will serve Tomodachi Rice Bowl produced by Chef Yosuke Suga of SUGALABO for the second meal in First Class and Business Class on select international flights, on July 20, 2016. Additionally the airline will start to introduce this new a la carte menu in First Class on international flights departing from Tokyo, starting September 1, 2016.

Tomodachi Rice Bowl is a menu created by Chef Suga using basil and tomato, which are "friends". Basil, called a companion plant, promotes the growth of tomatoes when planted together, and absorbs excess water to sweeten and improve the flavor of tomatoes. Because this relationship can be compared to friends helping each other grow, Chef Suga named this dish "Tomodachi Rice Bowl."

JAL will continue to embrace new challenges of delivering the spirit of Japanese culture to both Japanese and overseas customers through its unique and delicious in-flight Japanese meals.

Applicable classes: First Class and Business Class
Applicable routes: Flights from Narita to Chicago, Boston, New York (JFK) (JL006), Los Angeles,
Frankfurt, Helsinki, Sydney and Jakarta (available only in First Class on JL725)
Flights from Haneda to San Francisco, London (LHR) and Paris (CDG)
Applicable period: July 20, 2016 (available in international First Class, starting September 1)