Japan tapping "omotenashi" spirit to welcome vegan visitors english.kyodonews.net

Public awareness of vegetarianism and veganism is gradually growing in Japan, as are the number of stores and restaurants serving meals for people who choose to not eat animals.
Even so, Japan still lags when it comes to finding vegetarian or vegan options at nonspecialty stores.
(Mitsuyo Kubota)Shu Kudo, 21, head of the Japanese Vegan Community, an NPO in Kobe, western Japan, recalled being pleasantly surprised by the variety of vegan options on offer when he visited Britain.
He also noticed some ordinary restaurants serving meals free of animal-derived products.
The lawmaker group aims to enhance convenience by providing information on vegan options around Japan, such as with its English online "Vege Map" that provides locations of vegan restaurants in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka.