Author Archives: The Japan Agricultural News

【News】 University students and old hands join hands to open way for resurgence of broom corn and zashiki brooms in Japan (Sept. 21, 2014)

Kotaro Yamada – Zashiki brooms (Tochigi Prefecture) – Zashiki brooms are one of the specialties of Tochigi Prefecture that can date back to the Edo period. To carry on the tradition for future generations and help old hands to make brooms using locally-harvested broom corn, a group of Utsunomiya University students are now trying hard to grow broom corn plants in Kanuma-shi, Tochigi Prefecture. ◇                    ◇ “It turned out better than we expected,” said Yoshiaki Tsukui, 21, a senior student in agriculture and a member of the broom corn resurgence project in Kanuma-shi, Tochigi Prefecture while harvesting the plant at a quick pace. The project started in April 2013 voluntarily by … Continue reading

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【Interviews】 International Co-operative Alliance head stresses significance of co-ops as business model (Sept. 18, 2014)

  Following is an interview with International Co-operative Alliance President Pauline Green regarding global trends surrounding co-operatives and the focus of the organization’s report on Japan’s deregulation expected to be compiled next month. She is a member of an inquiry commission established by the ICA to look into Japan’s deregulation. Q. Co-operatives are generally more vulnerable to risks such as financial crisis compared with private enterprises. In spite of that, governments in many areas are said to be interfering in co-operative activities. A. This is because co-operatives’ presence is getting bigger. Co-operatives have become bigger in size and stronger, thus attracting more attention. We now receive more attention as a … Continue reading

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【Feature】 Rice prices post record low levels reflecting excessive supply and lowering consumption (Sept. 15, 2014)

  Payments offered to rice farmers who entrust sales of this year’s harvest to agricultural co-operatives have been showing unprecedentedly low levels. Cross trading prices for rice sold to wholesalers are also set at low levels, as private inventory levels remained high for two consecutive years, loosening the supply-demand balance in the market. Reflecting the aging society and spread of healthy eating habits, many restaurants and takeout food manufacturers are reducing the amount of rice per serving, contributing to further decline in rice consumption. The amount of money given to producers of this year’s rice harvest was JPY1,500 to 3,000 lower per 60 kg from a year before, breaking the … Continue reading

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【News】 Kabuki shout echoes through mountains (Sept. 14, 2014)

Hiroki Arai – Hinoemata Kabuki (Hinoemata, Fukushima Prefecture) – Hinoemata Kabuki performed by Hinoemata villagers is one of the traditions that can be traced back to the Edo Period. It was started by a villager who watched a kabuki play in Edo. Learning from what he saw, ancient Hinoemata villagers created Hinoemata Kabuki as a performance in dedication to the gods. Since then, it’s been handed down through generation to generation for more than 270 years. On the evening of September 6, 2014, a shrine located in the central part of the Hinoemata village was packed with people waiting for a kabuki play to begin. It was the day for … Continue reading

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【News】 Decentralization Reform Committee calls for transfer of farmland conversion right (Sept. 13, 2014)

  The Decentralization Reform Committee of the Cabinet Office held the tenth meeting of the Farming Land and Villages Committee on Thursday, September 11, and argued about the transfer of clerical jobs and rights from the central government to the local governments. The specialists attended insisted the local governments be responsible for the issue of conversion permission. Although agricultural land might decrease in case of excessive development, the committee members also made positive remarks supporting the decentralization. The Farmland and Villages Committee plans to proceed with further examination regarding specific measures to secure farmland preservation. The point is whether they can propose effective measures or not. Now, large-scale conversion of … Continue reading

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