Japanese fruit and vegetables promoted in Hong Kong

HONG KONG, Dec. 8 — ZEN-NOH International Hong Kong Ltd., a subsidiary of the National Federation of Agricultural Cooperative Associations (JA ZEN-NOH) group, will fully open a permanent sales counter on Dec. 9 inside a shop in Hong Kong to sell Japan-made fruit and vegetables as part of efforts to boost Japan’s exports of fresh produce. The permanent sales counter, the first of its kind to open at overseas stores, will be installed inside the Fusion Tai Wo store of PARKnSHOP, Hong Kong’s leading supermarket chain. A sales associate trained for two weeks about the quality, safety and taste of Japanese fruit and vegetables will be regularly stationed at the … Continue reading

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Shogoin turnip-jewel from the winter field in Kyoto

KYOTO, Dec. 5 – In the Shino district of Kameoka City, Kyoto Prefecture, a traditional Japanese vegetable, Shogoin turnip, is now at its peak shipping season. It is the largest turnip in Japan that can weigh up to 5 kilograms. At this time of year, the Kameoka Basin, a producer of this sweet, crispy turnip, is covered with a thick fog and frost in the early morning. It is said that the significant variance in temperature between day and night is key to the sweetness of this turnip. Yoshinori Kimura, a 55-year-old turnip grower, was busy washing, sorting, and packing freshly harvested turnips in the workspace of his 2-hectare farm. … Continue reading

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Sushi, or not sushi?

TOYAMA, Dec. 1 – Pairs of socks sold by Sukeno Co., Ltd., a socks manufacturer based in Takaoka City, Toyama Prefecture, are selling well. The “Sushi Socks,” which look like sushi when rolled up, are popular, particularly among inbound tourists, and the company has sold 220,000 pairs so far. There are nine types, including ikura fish eggs, tako octopus, and masu-zushi, traditional sushi in Toyama made using sliced trout or cherry salmon. The manufacturer uses white yarn for rice parts and yarns in five to six colors for sushi ingredient parts so that they look tactile. By rolling and tucking a sock in its cuff, you can make it look … Continue reading

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Leaders of cooperatives vow to strengthen global cooperative movement at the launch of the 2025 United Nations International Year of Cooperatives

NEW DELHI, Nov. 27 — The International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) held a kickoff event in New Delhi, India, on Nov. 25 to officially launch the 2025 United Nations International Year of Cooperatives (IYC). Some 3,000 representatives from cooperatives in around 100 countries gathered at the event and agreed to strive to increase the visibility of cooperatives and expand their activities under the IYC’s theme: “Cooperatives Build a Better World.” “We live in a complex time as humanity,” ICA president Ariel Guarco said. “Let us continue to demonstrate that this (organized cooperation) is the best way for all of us to have a dignified life, leaving no one out and leaving … Continue reading

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Tatami Japanese mattress artisan makes 120 instruments and band with 350 musicians

KYOTO, Nov. 24 – Kazuhiro Nishiwaki, a 57-year-old tatami mattress artisan based in Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, makes tatami-based instruments to introduce the charm of the traditional Japanese isuga rush mattresses to the world. So far, he has made more than 120 tatami-based musical instruments, such as guitars and drums. Also, he plays the tatami guitar and sings in a band with peer musicians all over Japan. The instruments are made from recycled materials such as isuga mat pieces left from the tatami mat making. He also formed a tatami promotional band named Nihon Tatami Gakki Seizo, which means “Japan tatami instruments manufacturer” in Japanese. The band has been around … Continue reading

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