Top > What's up around the Prime Minister > March, 2005

International President of the Slow Food International Pays Courtesy Call on Prime Minister Friday, March 4, 2005 Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi received a courtesy call from Mr. Carlo Petrini, the International President of the Slow Food International at the Prime Minister's Official Residence. The "slow food" movement, in contrast to ubiquitous "fast food," which can be easily ordered and consumed within minutes, promotes the practice of preserving traditions and taking time to savor local specialties and cuisines of any particular region or country. President Petrini proposed that the concept of slow food should be included in the basic bill concerning food education, which was compiled by the Government of Japan with the aim to enhance people's interest and knowledge of food and promote food education activities. In response to this suggestion, Prime Minister Koizumi said, "There is nothing more pleasurable and important as eating." The two then exchanged opinions on dietary culture and habit.