<Legendary Local Yogurt Event Revived> Yognet Officially Launches to Realize the "4th National Yogurt Summit" in 2027
Yognet, a general incorporated association, has officially launched to revive the "National Yogurt Summit," Japan's largest yogurt event, aiming for its 4th iteration in 2027.
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- 📰 Published: April 1, 2026 at 17:00
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This press release is the dream of "Yognet, a General Incorporated Association."
## What is the Yogurt Summit?
The Yogurt Summit is Japan's largest yogurt event, born in Omitama City, Ibaraki Prefecture in 2018, with the following objectives:
- Expanding awareness of local yogurts
- Appealing the value of dairy farming and the dairy industry
- Facilitating exchange and skill development among producers
- City promotion
In addition to commercial content such as the "Local Yogurt Product Exhibition" where local yogurts from all over Japan gather, the "Famous Yogurt General Election" where over 100 types of local yogurts compete, and the "Yogurt Foot Bath" to experience the charm of lactic acid bacteria strain H61, highly specialized content such as lectures, case presentations, and cluster schools were also enriched, providing valuable experiences for each participant.
The total number of visitors over two days reached 39,000, far exceeding expectations.
Afterward, it produced significant results such as improving residents' sense of belonging, strengthening public-private partnerships in town development, and revitalizing exchanges among local yogurt stakeholders, becoming a "legendary" event still talked about today.
However, the Yogurt Summit did not have an operating body. Although it was continued in different forms, with municipal hosting in Maniwa City, Okayama Prefecture in 2019, and private hosting in Iwate Prefecture from 2021-22, the Iwate event faced extreme difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic. After that, no next host was decided, and the event naturally ceased to exist.
1st National Yogurt Summit in Omitama
2nd National Yogurt Summit in Maniwa
3rd National Yogurt Summit in Iwate
Therefore, to revive this Yogurt Summit as a sustainable event, Tomoka Mukai, a yogurt enthusiast who had been involved in each summit as a lecturer and ambassador, established Yognet, a General Incorporated Association, together with dairy manufacturers and supporters from various regions.
Yognet, a General Incorporated Association
## We want to convey the charm of local yogurts
Yogurts produced in small quantities using fresh local raw milk.
Each product has a unique story rooted in its land.
For example, Omitama City, Ibaraki Prefecture, the host of the first summit.
What was indispensable for improving the lean soil of the Kanto loam layer and cultivating it into land where crops could grow abundantly was the compost produced by dairy farming. Dairy farming, which had walked hand-in-hand with other local industries, eventually became one of the city's core industries, and "Omitama Yogurt" became a soul food, appearing from school lunches to wedding toasts.
Dairy farming has diverse values beyond just milking, and the dairy industry elevates the value nurtured by dairy farming into a "taste" that reaches people's hearts.
The market value of local yogurts lies on a different axis from the "functionality" and "Foods for Specified Health Uses (FOSHU)" currently attracting attention in Japan's fermented milk market. What exists there is a story and emotion woven by "local climate," "dairy farming," "milk," and "craftsmanship." The Yogurt Summit is the place to feel, support, and connect that value to the next generation.
We want to deliver bright news to the local yogurt world, which faces many challenges such as rising production costs and regional population outflow.
Driven by this desire, Yognet is proceeding with plans to revive the "4th National Yogurt Summit" in 2027.
### What is Yognet, a General Incorporated Association?
It is a non-profit general incorporated association established in June 2023 with the aim of expanding awareness of "local yogurts" and reviving the "National Yogurt Summit." Led by representative director and yogurt enthusiast Tomoka Mukai, members from various positions, including small and medium-sized dairy manufacturers and 6th industry farms producing local yogurts across Japan, yogurt-related companies and researchers, dairy farmers, and yogurt fans, are jointly active. (As of the end of March 2026, membership count: Regular members: 38, Associate members: 4, Supporting members: 36)
*Only members who have given permission for logo/photo publication are listed in the member list.
*Regular members (manufacturing and sales, special approval), associate members, and supporting members are listed from north to south.
This press release is the dream of "Yognet, a General Incorporated Association."
## What is the Yogurt Summit?
The Yogurt Summit is Japan's largest yogurt event, born in Omitama City, Ibaraki Prefecture in 2018, with the following objectives:
- Expanding awareness of local yogurts
- Appealing the value of dairy farming and the dairy industry
- Facilitating exchange and skill development among producers
- City promotion
In addition to commercial content such as the "Local Yogurt Product Exhibition" where local yogurts from all over Japan gather, the "Famous Yogurt General Election" where over 100 types of local yogurts compete, and the "Yogurt Foot Bath" to experience the charm of lactic acid bacteria strain H61, highly specialized content such as lectures, case presentations, and cluster schools were also enriched, providing valuable experiences for each participant.
The total number of visitors over two days reached 39,000, far exceeding expectations.
Afterward, it produced significant results such as improving residents' sense of belonging, strengthening public-private partnerships in town development, and revitalizing exchanges among local yogurt stakeholders, becoming a "legendary" event still talked about today.
However, the Yogurt Summit did not have an operating body. Although it was continued in different forms, with municipal hosting in Maniwa City, Okayama Prefecture in 2019, and private hosting in Iwate Prefecture from 2021-22, the Iwate event faced extreme difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic. After that, no next host was decided, and the event naturally ceased to exist.
1st National Yogurt Summit in Omitama
2nd National Yogurt Summit in Maniwa
3rd National Yogurt Summit in Iwate
Therefore, to revive this Yogurt Summit as a sustainable event, Tomoka Mukai, a yogurt enthusiast who had been involved in each summit as a lecturer and ambassador, established Yognet, a General Incorporated Association, together with dairy manufacturers and supporters from various regions.
Yognet, a General Incorporated Association
## We want to convey the charm of local yogurts
Yogurts produced in small quantities using fresh local raw milk.
Each product has a unique story rooted in its land.
For example, Omitama City, Ibaraki Prefecture, the host of the first summit.
What was indispensable for improving the lean soil of the Kanto loam layer and cultivating it into land where crops could grow abundantly was the compost produced by dairy farming. Dairy farming, which had walked hand-in-hand with other local industries, eventually became one of the city's core industries, and "Omitama Yogurt" became a soul food, appearing from school lunches to wedding toasts.
Dairy farming has diverse values beyond just milking, and the dairy industry elevates the value nurtured by dairy farming into a "taste" that reaches people's hearts.
The market value of local yogurts lies on a different axis from the "functionality" and "Foods for Specified Health Uses (FOSHU)" currently attracting attention in Japan's fermented milk market. What exists there is a story and emotion woven by "local climate," "dairy farming," "milk," and "craftsmanship." The Yogurt Summit is the place to feel, support, and connect that value to the next generation.
We want to deliver bright news to the local yogurt world, which faces many challenges such as rising production costs and regional population outflow.
Driven by this desire, Yognet is proceeding with plans to revive the "4th National Yogurt Summit" in 2027.
### What is Yognet, a General Incorporated Association?
It is a non-profit general incorporated association established in June 2023 with the aim of expanding awareness of "local yogurts" and reviving the "National Yogurt Summit." Led by representative director and yogurt enthusiast Tomoka Mukai, members from various positions, including small and medium-sized dairy manufacturers and 6th industry farms producing local yogurts across Japan, yogurt-related companies and researchers, dairy farmers, and yogurt fans, are jointly active. (As of the end of March 2026, membership count: Regular members: 38, Associate members: 4, Supporting members: 36)
*Only members who have given permission for logo/photo publication are listed in the member list.
*Regular members (manufacturing and sales, special approval), associate members, and supporting members are listed from north to south.
FAQ
When will the National Yogurt Summit be held?
The 4th National Yogurt Summit is planned for 2027, with preparations currently underway.
What kind of organization is Yognet?
It is a non-profit general incorporated association established in June 2023 to expand awareness of local yogurts and revive the summit.
What are the objectives of the summit?
The main objectives are to expand awareness of local yogurts, appeal the value of dairy farming and the dairy industry, facilitate producer exchange, and promote cities.