Kinrei's 'Kokorozome Project' Radio Specials Promoting Japanese Cuisine and Rakugo to be Preserved in Broadcast Library

KINREI Corporation (Headquarters: Fushimi-ku, Kyoto; Representative Director and President: Masahiko Shirakata) has been conducting the 'Kinrei Kokorozome Project' since 2014, a cultural enlightenment activity aimed at widely communicating the appeal of Japanese cuisine 'Nabeyaki Udon' and traditional performing art 'Rakugo'.

We are pleased to announce that two special radio programs, 'Nabeyakiya Kinrei Presents: A Journey to Find Edo on an Autumn Evening,' broadcast on November 22, 2024 (Fri), and 'Nabeyakiya Kinrei Presents: Edo Stories that Soak into an Autumn Evening,' broadcast on November 14, 2025 (Fri), will be made publicly available at the 'Broadcast Library,' operated by the Public Interest Incorporated Foundation Hoso Bangumi Center.

From April 29, 2026 (holiday/Wednesday), anyone will be able to watch these radio programs, which offer an enjoyable way to learn about Edo culture, daily life, and food culture, within the Broadcast Library facilities.

Regarding the reason for their selection, a representative from the center commented, "We evaluated the content, which pleasantly unravels Edo food culture and daily life through traditional performing arts such as Rakugo, as a program that should be preserved as a record from both cultural and entertainment perspectives. We also received recommendations from experts when selecting programs for preservation."

KINREI Corporation will continue its cultural enlightenment activities promoting Japanese food and traditional culture through the 'Kinrei Kokorozome Project'.

■ Library Public Programs 'Nabeyakiya Kinrei Presents: A Journey to Find Edo on an Autumn Evening'

・Broadcast Date: November 22, 2024 (Fri)

・Production: Kinrei Kokorozome Project, Nippon Cultural Broadcasting

・Performers: Rakugo storyteller Ichizo Shunputei, comedy duo Manju Teikoku (affiliated with Titan)*, traditional performing arts researcher Akatsuki Shigetoh*, Nippon Cultural Broadcasting announcer Kana Mizutani

・Program Overview: Explores Edo food culture within a full-scale reproduction of a late Edo period Fukagawa Saga-cho townscape in the Fukagawa Edo Museum, Koto Ward. Manju Teikoku, who were both members of a Rakugo club during university, and Rakugo storyteller Ichizo Shunputei appear, performing manzai and a Rakugo story 'Udonya' related to common people in Edo.

*Eima Tanaka and Kazuki Takeuchi of Manju Teikoku participated in the Kokorozome Project during their university days and have cooperated in many projects to date.

*Akatsuki Shigetoh has cooperated in various projects since the inception of the Kokorozome Project.

■ Library Public Programs 'Nabeyakiya Kinrei Presents: Edo Stories that Soak into an Autumn Evening'

・Broadcast Date: November 14, 2025 (Fri)

・Production: Kinrei Kokorozome Project, Nippon Cultural Broadcasting

・Performers: Rakugo storyteller Ichizo Shunputei, traditional performing arts researcher Akatsuki Shigetoh, Nippon Cultural Broadcasting announcer Kana Mizutani

・Guests: Zokkyoku singer Umekichi Hiyama, Edo street vendor Watakai Ryo, Professor Emeritus of Tokyo Kasei Gakuin University Ayako Ehara

・Program Overview: Rakugo storyteller Ichizo Shunputei, traditional performing arts researcher Akatsuki Shigetoh, and announcer Kana Mizutani invite Zokkyoku singer Umekichi Hiyama, Edo street vendor entertainer Watakai Ryo, and Professor Emeritus Ayako Ehara of Tokyo Kasei Gakuin University as guests to enjoyably unravel Edo food culture and daily life.

■ About the 'Broadcast Library'

Based in Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture, the Broadcast Library is Japan's only archive facility specializing in broadcast programs, established under the Broadcast Act. It makes approximately 40,000 NHK, commercial TV, radio programs, and commercials available to the public, which can be viewed in viewing booths within the facility. In addition, it features a permanent exhibition zone where visitors can learn about broadcasting through hands-on experiences, and it regularly holds program screenings and public seminars.

Furthermore, it provides services allowing educational institutions to use desired programs from the TV and radio programs available at the Broadcast Library for classes via the internet, and public facilities like libraries to view and screen some programs.

All these services are available free of charge.

*Broadcast Library Official Website: https://www.bpcj.or.jp/

■ About the Kinrei Kokorozome Project

A project aiming to enlighten Japanese traditional culture by fostering a fusion between Kinrei Corporation, which values Japanese food culture, and university students belonging to Rakugo clubs. The name 'Kokorozome' (心染) embodies the desire to convey 'authentic tastes and culture that deeply touch people's hearts' to many, and also signifies the 'freshness' of the freezing technology that delivers deliciousness.

*Project Official Website: https://krspj.net/

■ Company Overview

Company Name: KINREI Corporation

Founded: December 1974 (Showa 49) in Osaka

Representative: Masahiko Shirakata, Representative Director and President

Head Office Location: 247 Minamihama-cho, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto

Capital: 400 million JPY

Shareholder: Gekkeikan Sake Co., Ltd.

Number of Employees: 146 (as of end of FY2024, excluding temporary employees)

Sales: 17.2 billion JPY *as of FY2024