Author Archives: The Japan Agricultural News

Japan Agricultural Newspaper’s Vegetable General Election: Tomato ranks first

TOKYO, Aug. 30 – August 31 is Vegetable Day in Japan because the numbers 8, 3, and 1 can be read as “ya-sa-i,” which means vegetable in Japanese. Ahead of the day, the Japan Agricultural Newspaper conducted a reader survey, “Vegetable General Election,” to ask, “What is your favorite vegetable?” Tomatoes ranked top with 35 points, while eggplants finished close 2nd and cucumbers 3rd. Summer vegetable in season took most of the top slots. The survey was announced in the papers and through messages to friends of Japan Agricultural Newspaper’s one of the official Line accounts. Then, it was conducted via the Internet on August 14 through 23. It also … Continue reading

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Japan’s traditional candy apples evolving into everyday sweets

  TOKYO, Aug. 29 — Candy apples, iconic summer festival treats in Japan which have been popular for decades, are evolving into fine-tuned sweets in recent years. Specialty stores are popping up, offering cute-looking products coming in different flavors using good-tasting domestically-grown apples. DIY kits are also being sold for those who want to make candy apples at home. The popularity of candy-coated apples is spreading, as not only women and young people but a wide variety of people now enjoy them as everyday sweets, giving apple growers the opportunity to boost consumption of homegrown apples. Pomme d’Amour Co. in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward uses apples from Aomori Prefecture to make … Continue reading

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New JA-Zenchu Chairman Toru Yamano expresses enthusiasm to realize fair pricing

TOKYO, Aug. 19 – Toru Yamano, chairman of the JA Kagoshima Prefectural Central Association, was appointed as the new and 16th chairman of the Central Union of Agricultural Cooperatives (JA-Zenchu) on August 18 at the union’s ordinary general meeting in Tokyo. At the press conference after the meeting, the 67-year-old newly elected pointed out the importance of having a mechanism for ensuring fair prices to improve food security. He said, “I’ll actively participate in future government studies and discussions.” He also underlined the need for thorough discussions with the cooperative members to self-reform the union.His term is three years and continues until August 2026. At the press conference, Yamano signified … Continue reading

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Japanese milk and dairy products winning hearts of overseas consumers

TOKYO, HOKKAIDO, Aug. 16 – Japanese milk and dairy products are becoming increasingly popular abroad, as many inbound visitors to Japan have become fans of sold at convenience stores and all different kinds of ice creams with flavors unique to Japan after their Japan visit. Japan’s exports of milk and dairy products increased by more than 20% in value from a record high in the previous year, and dairy producers and industry groups are trying to take the opportunity to increase exports and the consumption of inbound travelers by making solid efforts.   Consumption growing in Asia According to the Farm Ministry of Japan, the country’s exports of milk and … Continue reading

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Fukukatsutsuru newly selected as elite sire with record high breeding values

TOKYO, Aug. 9 — The Livestock Improvement Association of Japan announced on Aug. 8 that it has newly selected Fukukatsutsuru as an elite breeding Japanese Black cattle. Fukukatsutsuru is a son of legendary breeding cattle Fukunohime who died of acute heart failure in June. Assessments of carcass performance data of fattened steers and heifers of Fukukatsutsuru showed that the average Beef Marbling Standard (BMS) score marked 10.2, record high for the association. Its genomic breeding value, evaluated based on genetic information, exceeded that of Fukunohime in all traits, ranking top in carcass weight, rib eye area, thickness of short ribs and the dressing percentage. Fukukatsutsuru’s semen will be marketed starting … Continue reading

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