TOKYO, Jun. 22 – Japan’s exports of apples produced in 2022 (from September 2022 to April 2023) reached 38,554 tons, a record high for the first time in seven years. In value terms, it also hit a record high at 18.89 billion yen. Exports to Taiwan and Hong Kong increased due to weak apple production in the U.S., one of Japan’s competitors. In Taiwan, demands for Japanese apples are growing as gift items and also table fruits. Also, the depreciation of the yen had a favorable impact. According to the finance ministry’s trade statistics, Japan’s apple exports peaked at 36,304 tons in 2015 and have gone sluggish since then due … Continue reading →

  TOKYO, June 25 — Marketing campaigns for cherries are intensifying as many large-size, photogenic cherry brands have debuted in recent years. Yamagata Prefecture is widely promoting its new cherry variety Yamagata Benio which made a full-scale debut this year. The new variety is promoted among a variety of people from wholesalers to young people to increase its brand recognition to become the driving force for the growing region. Aomori Prefecture is seeking to attract new customers to boost consumption of its cherry variety Juno Heart by selling the cherries in a package that looks like a jewelry box. High-end parfait Yamagata Benio is known for its size as big … Continue reading →

Ehime, June 17 – Iseki & Co., Ltd. has released, this month, the world’s first tractor equipped with a seatbelt reminder, a system that emits an alarming sound when a driver not wearing seatbelt attempts to drive the vehicle. To ensure drivers’ safety, the farm ministry of Japan is considering making a seatbelt reminder standard equipment on new tractor models to be released after April 2025. The leading Japanese agricultural machinery manufacturing company based in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, decided to introduce it before the mandatory introduction. All passenger vehicles in Japan must have the device under the Road Trucking Vehicle Act of Japan. The ministry has been discussing making it … Continue reading →

TOKYO, June 16 — Following the sudden death of legend breeding bull Fukunohime that led Japan’s wagyu production, all eyes are on which bull will succeed him for beef cattle producing regions to entrust their future to. At the center of attention is Fukunohime-sired bull Fukunotsuru, while some producing regions pin hopes on locally-born bulls. Fukunohime, which enjoyed overwhelming popularity nationwide for its ability to produce calves with high growth performance and carcass yield, died of acute heart failure on June 2 at the age of 10 years and 10 months. Many beef producing regions have high expectations for Fukunotsuru, with a Hokkaido breeder saying, “I hope he will produce … Continue reading →