[New Proposal] 'Obento-kun' Meatballs Now Support Parents at Night: Introducing 'Otsumami Meatballs' for Evening Drinks, Shelf-Stable Series

Ishii Food Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Funabashi, Chiba; President and CEO: Tomoyasu Ishii; hereinafter 'Ishii Food'), which has been committed to additive-free cooking*1, is taking on a new challenge for its meatballs, which have supported bento-making mornings for over 50 years. On April 1, 2026 (Wednesday), the company will launch 'Otsumami Meatballs,' a new product designed to accompany the evenings of working parents and be enjoyed by the whole family. *1 No food additives are used in our manufacturing process. [Product Details Page: https://shop.directishii.net/shop/g/g8210909/] Background: Expanding 'Peace of Mind' from Bento to 'Enjoyment' at Night. Ishii Food's meatballs have delivered peace of mind to Japanese households as the 'star of the bento box.' As a 'Lifestyle Food Company' aiming to support our customers' daily lives, we have now turned our attention to the 'modern evening dining table' beyond the bento box. Our currently available 'Anytime Meatballs,' which can be stored at room temperature for a long time, have been well-received for their versatility from daily use to emergencies. We have now added a product with dedicated packaging that blends into the daily lives of working parents, supporting their evening relaxation, while maintaining the same quality and taste. Amidst rising prices and the growing demand for 'drinking at home,' we aim to leverage the trust cultivated through bento boxes to enter the evening market, supporting the lives of all generations at all times. Product Features: 3 Reasons Why Adults and Children Will Both Be Happy. 1. Keeping the gentleness of 'Obento-kun' while introducing a relatable 'Father' character. While cherishing the touch of the long-loved 'Obento-kun,' we have adopted an illustration of a 'father' enjoying a drink with a beer in hand. By inheriting the traditional image while creating a design that parents can feel is 'for them,' we create a dining scene suitable for evening relaxation. 2. Proposing a new daily routine: 'Ishii is in the liquor section.' We have added a hole to the packaging to support hook displays in liquor sections. We are pursuing convenience by allowing customers to pick it up alongside their beer, saving them the trouble of stopping by the refrigerated section after a busy day at work. By expanding distribution to liquor sections, we are getting closer to the daily lives of working adults. 3. The size and taste remain 'the same as always,' with infinite arrangements for adults. To the question, 'Did you change the taste for snacks?', Ishii Food intentionally chose 'not to change it.' The familiar taste, made with 100% domestic young chicken and additive-free cooking*1, serves as a partner for alcohol just as it is. Furthermore, while adults can arrange it to their liking with shichimi, spices, or cheese, children can enjoy the 'usual taste' as is. You can smile and respond to the voices of 'Dad, Mom, give me one!' and enjoy it with the whole family. Comment from the Developer: Mr. Furuya, Manager of Sales Planning Department, Ishii Food. 'Those who grew up with 'Ishii's Obento-kun' are now adults, supporting society and their families every day. We wanted to propose a product that accompanies the relaxation time of these parents using the meatballs we have refined for many years. We hope that by keeping the convenience of room-temperature storage and having this packaging lined up in liquor sections, it will become a presence that supports both the healing of adults and family gatherings. We plan to actively develop flavors tailored to the diverse tastes of parents, bringing further enjoyment to the evening table.' Product Overview: Product Name: Otsumami Meatballs. Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price: 216 yen (tax included). Release Date: April 1, 2026 (Wednesday). *Pre-sale started in some regions on March 1 (Sunday). [About Ishii Food] Ishii Food was founded in 1945 and began manufacturing tsukudani as a food company the following year. Under the corporate philosophy of 'Creating truly delicious things - for the body, the heart, and the future,' we manufacture and sell processed foods centered on additive-free cooking* and domestic ingredients. Celebrating our 80th anniversary in 2025, we continue to aim for the development of regional co-creation products based on our unchanging 'sincere manufacturing,' delivering smiles to our customers by providing products that are not only delicious but also safe and secure. *No food additives are used in our manufacturing process.