Earlier this month, the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization, or UNESCO, granted special cultural status to something called Washoku.

Washoku refers to traditional Japanese cuisine, which often features seasonal ingredients. This is only the second time UNESCO has granted this special status to a national cuisine. Japanese officials were quite pleased with the designation.

The Prime Minister said he hoped it would keep future generations eating Washoku foods in an era where Western cuisine and fast food have infiltrated Japan. Atsuko Kanai, vice president of the Mutual Trading Company, talked about Washoku on Take Two.