Japan Railway Group companies and "ekiben" makers are joining forces to have the boxed meals sold at train stations across Japan registered as an intangible cultural asset.Ekiben makers are facing the threat of extinction. High-speed train travel and the proliferation of convenience stores have reduced their numbers to just 20 percent of their peak, according to a group official.These boxed meals hold cultural value because they preserve local cooking methods and ingredients. This year marks the 140th anniversary of ekiben, and JR companies, along with producers of these "on-the-go" meals, …READ FULL ARTICLE
