Ep. 59: Touzai staff attend a rice exhibition where policy debates lead to a culinary contest.
Staff from the Touzai Arts and Culture Department visit a California rice trade exhibition alongside Deputy Prime Minister Kakumaru and economist Ryo Osaki. Osaki announces plans to liberalize rice import policies, prompting objections from Yamaoka regarding the distinct taste of traditional Japanese rice. Back at the office, the team prepares lunch and organizes a "Friends of Rice" contest to showcase favorite accompaniments. The event draws attention when Yamaoka reveals he invited Kakumaru. Following a successful tasting of various dishes, Yamaoka presents arguments for maintaining import restrictions to preserve Japanese rice-growing traditions. Consequently, Kakumaru agrees to reconsider the proposed policy changes regarding rice imports.
Episodes
- Ep. 55 · Hanamura seeks the mysterious senbei rescuer who gave her rice crackers after a car accident.
- Ep. 56 · Foreign Minister Hoshimura seeks Gourmet Club access for visiting Chinese Vice Chairman Chen Yong Liong.
- Ep. 57 · Noriko's Engagement Dinner at Gingintei and Yasuo's Culinary Redemption
- Ep. 58 · Shy worker overcomes accent fears to succeed with street cart singing
- Ep. 59 · Touzai staff attend a rice exhibition where policy debates lead to a culinary contest.
- Ep. 60 · Touzai Book Deal with Korean Publisher Resolved After Tomii's Mistake
- Ep. 61 · Nobuko Mayama hosts a ski trip at her mountain villa where a snowstorm traps the group.
- Ep. 62 · Tōjin Tōyama seeks the perfect tomato red after injuring his ankle and visiting a Shizuoka farm.
- Ep. 63 · Kurita and Yamaoka help Yasuo appreciate natto to save his engagement