Author Archives: The Japan Agricultural News

Wagyu beef production shows 6 percent year-on-year rise in 2020

TOKYO, Aug. 10 – Production of wagyu beef totaled 161,000 tons in 2020, up 9,000 tons, or 6 percent, from a year before, according to a survey by the agriculture ministry. The volume of production increased for four years in a row since 2017 and the ministry attributes the rise to the livestock producers clustering program that helped empower farmers’ businesses. In 2018, the ministry set a target of doubling the annual wagyu production from some 150,000 tons at the time to 300,000 tons in 2035 and has been taking measures to achieve the goal. Due to the decline in the number of breeding cows following the 2010 foot-and-mouth disease … Continue reading

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Avoid accident! Japan’s firm ministry using virtual reality to call for safe work practices

TOKYO, August 9 – The farm ministry of Japan has recently created virtual reality (VR) videos that offer a virtual experience of accidents in the agriculture, forestry, fisheries sectors, and the food industry. These industries have higher accident rates than others, and the videos aim to raise safety awareness further. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) also anticipates using the movies in training by prefectures and local agricultural cooperatives. MAFF produced six 3-minute VR videos on accidents in four sectors-livestock, food manufacturing, wood, and fishing-in collaboration with private companies. For example, the video for the livestock industry workers offers a virtual experience of a cow attack that broke … Continue reading

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Norinchukin Bank to establish an investment subsidiary

TOKYO, Aug. 11 – Norinchukin Bank announced on Aug. 10 that it will set up a subsidiary specializing in investment in an effort to invest more in unlisted companies. It plans to launch a 39-billion-yen fund in October to help improve its own profitability, as well as supporting growth of firms in the food and agriculture sectors and contributing to digitalization of agricultural cooperatives in Japan, known as the JA group. The new company, Norinchukin Capital, will be capitalized at 100 million yen and will be wholly owned by Norinchukin Bank. Norinchukin Capital will operate two different funds to increase the value of companies it invests in and then obtain … Continue reading

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JA Fruits Yamanashi sells limited number of Hello Kitty peaches

YAMANASHI, Jul. 30 – A local agricultural cooperative in Yamanashi Prefecture sold a limited number of peaches with an image of a popular Sanrio character, “Hello Kitty.” One of the world’s most popular cat and the JA Fruits Yamanashi collaborated to promote the consumption of the local summer fruits. The JA used Yamanashi’s patented technology to “print” the image on locally-grown “Natsukko” white peaches, which are currently in high season. Approximately two weeks before harvesting, peach growers wrapped each one of the fruits on the trees with a stocking with a light-blocking sticker to make the cute character appear clearly on the skin of the fruit. Last year, they printed … Continue reading

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Play Furusato Catcher and catch local specialties at home!

AICHI, Jul. 19 – A new crane game service that allows you to catch local specialties remotely via the Internet is becoming popular in Japan. It’s called “Furusato Catcher.” It’s an online service for you to enjoy your stay-at-home time while supporting people in the agricultural and tourist industries suffering economic damages due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Approximately 60 game machines stand in a roadside warehouse in Oharu Town, Aichi Prefecture. There are no players in the building, which is rather quiet, unlike usual game arcades. Only the arms in the machines are moving busily, trying to catch prizes. The catchers are controlled by online players all over the country. … Continue reading

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