The Japanese pavilion at this year's Taipei International Food Show will focus on foods that government officials claim are "preferred by women."
The Interchange Association, which acts as Japan's de facto mission in Taipei in the absence of official diplomatic relations, said the number of career women in Taiwan and their buying power have been growing. So has the demand for food that is considered healthy and beneficial to the skin.
In a bid to target that demographic, the association said that "Japanese food preferred by women" will be the theme of the country's pavilion in the hopes that it will boost exports of agricultural and aquatic products, processed food and other items.
Statistics provided by the Council of Agriculture show that Taiwan imported more than $888.7 million worth of agricultural and aquatic products from Japan in 2012. The number jumped to $915.9 million last year.
The Japanese pavilion at the expo will feature 90 booths, the most ever, the association said.
Rice noodles, collagen-rich dry noodles, burdock drinks and plum wine are among the Japanese foods the association claims are favored by women.
The Taiwan pavilion will feature 88 booths showcasing agricultural, forest, aquatic and livestock products, precooked products and frozen foods.
A new feature this year is brand-name agricultural products, Council Deputy Minister Chen Wen-deh said. They include rice noodles, salty fish, seafood sauces and dried meat floss.
Taiwan exported about $5 billion in agricultural and fishery products last year and the figure is estimated to grow to between $5.4 billion and $5.5 billion this year.
The Taipei International Food Show will be held at the Taipei World Trade Center from Wednesday to Saturday.