Archive · 24 Aug 2026
Japanese Home Food Supports Badminton Team’s World Success
Japan’s badminton players bring their own cooking team to big competitions.
The team includes three chefs and two directors.
This program began in 2017 with help from Ajinomoto.
Players said food in other countries did not always feel familiar or provide what they needed.
The chefs make Japanese meals every day.
Common foods include white rice, a main dish, a side dish and miso soup.
Meals are delivered according to the players’ training and match schedules.
Players Kodai Naraoka and Akane Yamaguchi said the food helped them recover and stay properly nourished.
The chefs even deliver meals to hotel rooms after late matches.
Japan’s badminton team travels with three chefs and two directors to major international events.
The initiative, supported by Ajinomoto, began in 2017 after players reported concerns about nutrition and familiar food abroad.
Chefs prepare Japanese meals daily, including white rice, a main dish, a side dish and miso soup.
Kodai Naraoka and Akane Yamaguchi said timely, familiar food helped with recovery and meeting nutritional needs.
The team scouts venues months in advance and transports spices, seasonings, food mixtures and other kitchen supplies.
- Who
- Japan’s badminton players, including Kodai Naraoka and Akane Yamaguchi, supported by an Ajinomoto team of three chefs and two directors.
- What
- A Japanese food-support program provides players with familiar, scheduled meals during major badminton competitions.
- When
- The initiative began in 2017; the described World Championships campaign ended on Sunday.
- Where
- At major badminton events, including the World Championships in New Delhi, India.
- Why
- Players had reported concerns about nutrition and the lack of homely food at overseas events, while organizers consider nutrition important for athletic performance.
- Program start
- The chef-support initiative began in 2017.
- Traveling team
- Five people accompany the players: three chefs and two directors.
- Typical meal
- Lunch boxes generally contain white rice, a main dish, a side dish and miso soup.
- Meal delivery
- Food is prepared daily and delivered to the stadium according to training and match schedules.
- Venue preparation
- The Ajinomoto team travels months ahead to inspect locations and arrange local supplies.
- Players cited
- Kodai Naraoka and Akane Yamaguchi discussed the importance of familiar, timely food.
- Other sports
- Ajinomoto also supports athletes in swimming and judo through its sports initiatives.