TOKYO, Feb. 1 – The Consumer Affairs Agency’s expert panel agreed on Jan. 31 to introduce a stricter standard to certify non-genetically modified food products, allowing only foods with technically zero genetically modified organisms (GMOs) to be labeled GM-free. Under the current rules, foods containing 5 percent or less of GM ingredients can bear the GM-free label. For instance, soybeans can be labeled non-GM even if the product contained up to 5 percent of GM beans due to unintentional mixing in the process of production or distribution. However, consumer groups have been calling for the revision of the rules, saying the current standard is misleading for consumers. In the expert … Continue reading →

TOKYO, Jan. 20 — Japan’s agriculture ministry is stepping up efforts to reduce crop damage caused by overpopulated wildlife across the country. Economic losses caused by wildlife was estimated at 17.2 billion yen in 2016, down 3% from a year earlier, according to the ministry. Deer and wild boar accounted for nearly a half of the overall losses. Crop damage caused by wild animals has declined from the peak of 23.9 billion yen in 2010, yet the level of farm losses affected by them remains high, the ministry said. The government has now set a target to reduce the number of deer and wild boar by half by 2023. It … Continue reading →

TOKYO, Jan. 19 — Japanese brown rice exports have increased over the years, thanks to a growing appetite in Asian markets for its flavor and the potential health benefits, data from the finance ministry in Tokyo has shown. Promoting brown rice has become a key strategy for Japanese growers in its successful attempt to boost overall rice exports to Asia, traders say. They now increasingly place rice milling machines in close proximity to exporting markets to make their crop fresh. Japanese rice exports totaled 10,556 metric tons in the first 11 months of 2017, of which brown rice accounting for 40 percent. The brown rice export volume doubled, compared with … Continue reading →

TOKYO, Jan. 23 — The Farm Ministry of Japan released on the Internet a video introducing the initiatives of the country and some of its rice producers in order to promote rice export from Japan. The ministry explained Japan’s strategy to expand into the overseas market and interviewed some of domestic rice producers and traders who currently market Japanese rice in the U.S. and China. The purpose of the film is to have other domestic farmers and entities in rice retailing business realize that there is an enormous potential abroad and to encourage them to join the bandwagon. The 15-minute video highlights why it’s necessary to promote rice export when … Continue reading →