The Sweet Potato Expo Executive Committee (Representative: Kenji Ishihara, 7-7-26 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo) is pleased to announce that "Summer Sweet Potato Expo 2026," to be held for four days from August 6 (Thu) to August 9 (Sun), 2026, at Makuhari Messe Hall 3, will feature a "New Menu Contest" with the participation of all stores. We will announce the event on social media and other platforms prior to the event, and fans will participate in deciding the final nominated menus. Please look forward to a lineup of captivating menus you've never tasted before. ◆ "New Menu Contest" Selection Process The selection process to determine "This Summer's No. 1" from a total of 24 brand-new menus from all stores is as follows. A prize campaign will also be held for general voting, in which anyone can participate. [Round 1: General Voting] July 13 (Mon) - July 22 (Wed) Details: General voting will be conducted via social media announcements from among 24 entry menus to select the top 10. Prize: A lottery will be held for those who vote, with "Sweet Potato Expo Official Goods" as prizes! [Round 2: Selection by Executive Committee & Special Judges] August 5 (Wed) *Day before the event Details: A rigorous selection process by the Executive Committee and special judges will be conducted from the 10 menus that passed Round 1, narrowing them down to the final 5 nominated menus. [Final Round: Live Public Tasting and Judging] August 7 (Fri) Details: Held on a special stage within the "Summer Sweet Potato Expo 2026" venue. Special judges will taste and score the 5 final nominated menus on the spot, and the one with the highest score will be decided as "This Summer's No. 1 New Menu." Introducing the "New Menus" entered by each store (24 stores, in Japanese syllabary order) Store Name: &potato® Mitsu Koi, Basque Soft Serve. A forbidden sweet potato Basque soft serve where sweet potato falls in love with cheese, leaving a fragrant aftertaste followed by a sweet drizzle. You'll