To the High School Students Shaping Akita's Future: Chef Francesco Bellissimo Hosts Special Cooking Class at Kokugakukan High School

Francesco Bellissimo, a popular culinary researcher and international cultural producer, participated as an instructor in a special cooking class hosted by Kokugakukan High School (Akita City, Akita Prefecture).

On the day, students co-created original dishes incorporating Italian culinary techniques and concepts, using locally sourced ingredients from Akita Prefecture. This hands-on learning experience provided an opportunity to reflect on the appeal and potential of local produce.

The two dishes prepared during the class were:

- Bruschetta with Cheese, Egg, and Bacon
(Featuring Akita-grown small negi green onions)

- Pasta with Akita Miso Cream Sauce – Topped with Tomburi
(Utilizing Akita miso and tomburi, a traditional Akita ingredient)

The cooking class went beyond teaching technical skills, focusing on the theme of "rediscovering the value of local ingredients," encouraging students to reexamine Akita’s charm from a fresh perspective.

During his lecture, Bellissimo stated, "There are wonderful food cultures around the world. However, to communicate their value, it's essential first to understand the appeal of our own local regions."

Across Japan, declining birthrates and aging populations are making the maintenance of regional vitality a major challenge. In this context, it is believed that young people—the future of Akita—taking pride in local food culture and specialty products and promoting them with fresh ideas will be key to regional revitalization. The high school students who participated are the generation that will support Akita’s future for decades to come. Bellissimo offered his encouragement: "I hope today’s experience becomes an entry point to a new world for you all, sparking a rediscovery of Akita’s charm. I look forward to seeing you become driving forces in developing Akita into an even more attractive region in the future."

- Excerpt from Comments by Francesco Bellissimo

Q1. Why did you decide to teach cooking to high school students in Akita?

A. It’s not just about teaching cooking. I wanted students to rediscover Akita’s charm through food. Local ingredients carry the history, culture, and emotions of a region.

Q2. What are your impressions of Akita’s ingredients?

A. Having traveled the world, I can say Akita has many ingredients worthy of global pride. However, the real challenge isn’t the ingredients themselves, but cultivating people who can communicate their value to the world.

Q3. What are your thoughts on the future of Akita’s youth—and Japan’s youth in general?

A. I’m Italian, but Italy, like Japan, faces serious challenges such as declining birthrates and population loss. That’s why I feel this issue very personally. But we shouldn’t be pessimistic. As times change, so do the types of talent and work styles in demand. A shrinking population is a challenge, but it also means new opportunities can emerge.

The younger generation must humbly learn from abroad while proudly rediscovering and communicating the value of their own regions and cultures to the world. With AI and new technologies, each individual will be able to create greater value than ever before.

I sensed great potential in the Akita high school students I met today. What matters isn’t thinking "there’s no future because the population is shrinking," but asking "what can we do in this changing era?"

Japan, Akita, and Italy all have wonderful futures ahead. It is this next generation that will create them.

Q4. Please share a message for the students who participated today.

A. I hope today’s experience becomes an entry point to a new world for you all. I look forward to seeing you grow into proud Akita residents who support your community and society. You are Akita’s future—keep striving!

- Event Overview

Event Name: Special Italian Cooking Class

Date: Friday, June 12, 2026

Venue: Kokugakukan High School (Akita City, Akita Prefecture)

Content: Italian cooking class using ingredients from Akita Prefecture

Participants: Culinary Arts students from Kokugakukan High School

Organizer: Keiai Gakuen Educational Corporation, Kokugakukan High School

Cooperation: Billionaire Incorporated

Instructor: Culinary Researcher Francesco Bellissimo

- Key Akita Prefecture Ingredients Used

Akita Negi (Green Onions)
Akita Miso
Tomburi

- Instructor Profile

Francesco Bellissimo
President & CEO, Billionaire Incorporated

Born in Rome, Italy. Culinary researcher, TV personality, and international cultural producer.

Based in Japan for over 25 years, he has been active in the fields of food culture, tourism, hospitality, and international business. Through TV, radio, lectures, and social media, he continues to bridge Japanese and European cultures, earning widespread recognition as one of Japan’s most well-known Italian personalities.

He has collaborated with luxury hotels, global brands, and major corporations worldwide, and is active in inbound strategy and international marketing. His Instagram account has over 1.6 million followers.
Official Website: https://www.bellissimoyoshi.net

- Organizer Overview

Keiai Gakuen Educational Corporation, Kokugakukan High School

Address: 3-31 Senju Akidemachi, Akita City, Akita Prefecture

Principal: Haruhiko Ebata

Business: General education, culinary arts education, high school education, community collaboration projects, talent development

- Supporting Company Overview

Company Name: Billionaire Incorporated

President & CEO: Francesco Bellissimo

Address: Nishinomiya Nomura Building 32F, 1-26-2 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo

Business: Cultural projects, international branding, business strategy consulting, overseas market expansion support, media projects, media appearances, product development, culinary and lifestyle consulting

Website: http://www.billionaireinc.jp

- Media Coverage

The event was covered by media outlets including AKT Akita Television, AAB Akita Asahi Broadcasting, and ABS Akita Broadcasting.

Footage captured students attempting Italian cuisine using local Akita ingredients, as well as Bellissimo’s lecture, drawing significant interest in regional food culture and youth development initiatives.

This event shared the charm of food culture and the importance of international exchange through Italian cuisine.

Moving forward, we will continue to connect cultures between Japan, Italy, and the world, creating opportunities for learning and exchange through food, and delivering new perspectives and possibilities to the next generation.

For media inquiries and sharing

Billionaire Incorporated
Public Relations: info@billionaireinc.jp
Website: http://www.billionaireinc.jp

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