NEWS RELEASE

Kumamoto, Japan, has developed the World First “TATAMI-flavored” chopstick
made out of IGSA.
A pair of TATAMI-flavored chopsticks contains equal amount of dietary fibers contained in“One bowl of Salad”.
April 29th, 2017
“Kumamoto IGSA & TATAMI conference” produced “TATAMI-Flavored Edible chopstick” as a part oftheir promotion to make people think of “TATAMI” again and acknowledge the superiority ofKumamoto IGSA.
*IGSA=rush grass

The power used in this edible chopstick is made from high quality IGSA of Kumamoto
prefecture that are safe to eat. IGSA is not only edible, but it is highly nutritious “vegetable”
containing a lot of dietary fiber, which is equal to that of 60 times of lettuce (per100g). By having
one pair of this healthy chopsticks, you can consume about the same amount of dietary fibercontained in one bowl of salad. With this new concept of “edible chopstick”, Kumamoto
prefecture attempts to bring back IGSA closer to everyday lives of Japanese.
“Tatami-flavored chopsticks” are all hand-made by Japanese Shokunin (means craftsman inJapanese), and are baked slowly at low temperature. Chopsticks were manufactured at MarushigeInc., which is located in Aichi prefecture and is famous for producing edible plate. WithMarushige’s know-hows of making edible plate and high quality Kumamoto IGSA, Kumamoto
prefecture developed the world first TATAMI-flavored edible chopstick.
“Kumamoto IGSA & TATAMI conference” wishes people to recognize TATAMI and be awareof the superiority of Kumamoto IGSA by this edible chopstick.

▸Documentary Movie URL:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBOXZBgXqDs&app=desktop▸ Characteristics of “TATAMI-flavored edible Chopstick”✓Flavor of TATAMI / IGSATATAMI has relaxation effect.
This edible chopstick contains a plenty of IGSA powder, which is the ingredient of TATAMI.
✓Nutritious edible chopstick with plenty of dietary fiber.

IGSA contains plentiful amount of dietary fiber, which is equal to that of 60 times of lettuce.
(per100g)✓Crisp texture of the chopstick

Baked slowly at low temperature, this chopstick is crispy and easy to bite.
<About IGSA PHOTOLOG>

Kumamoto IGSA & TATAMI conference and Creative agency RobotCommunication Inc. launched new photo website <IGSA PHOTOLOG> on March 21st. Its

English version will be launched on April,29th. The website introduces the current situation ofIGSA farms and detailed photos of TATAMI making procedure at Yatsushiro Area, Kumamoto.
These photos show beautiful green scenery of IGSA field, farmers going through toughharvest, and the Shokunins (means craftsman in Japanese) that even Japanese are not aware of.
(URL : www.igsa.jp/idea )<Staff List>
Project Producer: ROBOT COMMUNICATIONS INC.
PR Agency: Material Inc.
❖ IGSA PJ
Creative Director: Takayuki Fukuzaki (ROBOT)Producer: Ken Yanai (ROBOT)Art Director: Norifumi Fumiya (ROBOT)
Camera: DYSKWEB Director: Yuki Matsui (ROBOT)WEB Designer: Daiki Yoshi（HORN GRAPHICS）
Front end Engineer: Yusuke Nakahara（SEARYO Inc.）❖ ”Tatami-Flavored” Eatable Chopstick PJ
Concept Planning Director: Wataru Seki (Material Inc.)
PR/Contents Producer: Hisataka Takenaka (Material Inc.)
PR Director: Hiroki Uragaki, Yosuke Chikamura, Soobin Bang (Material Inc.)PR Planner: Sota Haga, Saki Iwamoto (Material Inc.)
Chopstick Shokunin: Toshihiko Takamatsu (TOW), Marushige Inc.
<Contact>
Please contact us if you have any inquiry about this release.
Material Inc.
E-mail: IGSA@materialpr.jp
Company Address: 35F Ark Mori Building, Minato-ku, Tokyo (107-6035)
Company Phone number: +81-3-5459-5490