Meidi-Ya Explained

Meidi-Ya, Co. Ltd. 株式会社明治屋
Native Name Lang:	ja
Type:	KK
Location Country:	Japan
Location City:	Kyōbashi, Chūō, Tokyo
Area Served:	Japan and Singapore
Founder:	Isono Haraku
Founded:	1885
Homepage:	http://www.meidi-ya.co.jp/
Industry:	Retail

is a Japanese upmarket grocery store chain.^[1] Its headquarters are in Kyōbashi, Chūō, Tokyo.^[2] It is also a major wholesale distributor.^[3]

Overview

Meidi-Ya was established in 1885 by (磯野 計).^[2] Meidi-Ya has 14 locations in Greater Tokyo (mostly in upscale Shitamachi districts), 7 stores in other parts of Japan,^[2] and two stores in Singapore.^[4], the chain was one of the principal purveyors of the Japanese royal family.^[3]

The English name Meidi-ya is the Nihon-shiki romanization of the Japanese name. Many foreigners in Japan have pronounced the name with a hard "d" instead of a "j". The di romanization is characteristic of Nihon-shiki.^[1]

Meidi-Ya specializes in sale and production of food and beverages, importing and exporting of food products, wines and spirits, ship equipment, sale of industrial products, leasing and import of machinery, real estate, etc.^[5]

References

• Horvat, Andrew. Japanese Beyond Words: How to Walk and Talk Like a Native Speaker. Stone Bridge Press, 2000., 9781880656426.
  • See: "The Romaji (Roomaji) Conundrum." (Archive) - Excerpt from Horvat's book, which states: "The di ending is typical of Nipponshiki romanization, an earlier version of Kunree that, though hardly remembered, remains with us in the name of the upmarket grocery chain Meidiya, which generations of foreign residents have pronounced with a hard d instead of as "Meijiya.""

Notes

External links

• Meidi-Ya
• Meidi-Ya
• Meidi-Ya Store
• Meidi-Ya Store
• Singapore Meidi-Ya

Notes and References

1. Horvat, p. 166. "The di ending is typical of Nipponshiki romanization, an earlier version of Kunree that, though hardly remembered, remains with us in the name of the upmarket grocery chain Meidiya, which generations of foreign residents have pronounced with a hard "d" instead of as "Meijiya.""
2. "Company Profile." Meidi-Ya. Retrieved on May 13, 2013. "Head Office 2-2-8 Kyobashi, Chuo-ku Tokyo 104-8302"
3. "No Headline Present." Herald Scotland. Thursday February 16, 1989. Retrieved on May 13, 2013. "WHYTE & Mackay, has signed up Meidi-Ya, principal purveyors to the Japanese royal household and leading wholesale distributor, to market its flagship brand,[...]"
4. "About Us." Singapore Meidi-Ya. Retrieved on May 13, 2013.
5. Web site: Company Profile. Meidi-Ya. 14 May 2013.