Japan’s frozen vegetable imports exceed 1 million tons in 2017

TOKYO, Feb. 26 ─ Japan’s frozen vegetable imports broke the 1 million ton barrier last year for the first time, driven by rising prices in domestically-produced vegetables. Frozen vegetable import volume rose 7% to 1,009,000 tons in 2017 from a year earlier, with stem vegetables such as broccoli and spinach being the biggest increase, data from the finance ministry showed. The majority of frozen vegetable imports come from China and the U.S. Frozen potato, which account for about 40 percent of total frozen vegetable imports, increased 8% to 378,000 tons due to a poor harvest in the northern island of Hokkaido after heavy rains last year. “Demands from businesses, as … Continue reading

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Japan to push for ban lifts after Fukushima-related row victory

TOKYO, Feb. 24 — Japan will step up efforts in talks with countries to lift import restrictions imposed on Japanese foods, following the World Trade Organization (WTO)’s ruling on the Fukushima-related seafood dispute with South Korea. The WTO backed a Japanese complaint against South Korea’s import bans on seafood as well as additional testing requirements on agricultural foods after the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster. A WTO dispute panel ruled Seoul’s import bans were justified right after the nuclear meltdown, but continuing them violated the WTO’s sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreement. “Japan welcomes the WTO ruling,” said Agriculture Minister Ken Saito at a press conference on Feb. 23. “We will accelerate … Continue reading

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Technology for farm machines evolves to make robots!

GUNMA, March 4 – It’s real, NOT a robot in a cartoon. Sakakibara Kikai Company in Shintoumura village, Gunma Prefecture, created this gigantic two-lagged robot named LW-Mononofu, making use of its long-term expertise in making agricultural machinery. The LW-Mononofu stands at 8.5 meters tall and weighs 7.3 tons. It has a cockpit in the chest and a lift for a driver to climb up to the cockpit. Powered by electricity, the robot can turn the body, move legs and arms, and shuffles on the ground at approximately 0.6 kilometers per hour. It was assembled at the company’s plant. The Sakakibara Kikai began building robots 15 years ago to demonstrate the … Continue reading

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Eyeing new markets, Japan’s researchers develop fragrant rice

TOKYO, Feb. 18 — A group of researchers has launched a new Japanese rice, called “Princess of Fragrance” that should appeal to people at home as well as abroad. The Tottori Prefecture Agricultural Research Center offered rice tasting, along with some new recipes that highlights culinary opportunities, at Mistukoshi department store in Tokyo’s upmarket Ginza shopping district on Feb. 17. The researchers spent around 10 years developing the fragrant rice and started a sales trial of the 2017 produce. “The rice has a nutty and rich flavor and it boasts a chewy texture,” said Hiroki Nakamura, who developed Princess of Fragrance with his team at the research center. “This rice … Continue reading

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【Series】 Our Noh no Ikebana : “Combine new and old agricultural styles,” says Shizuyo Yagasaki, 68, from Nishi-Tokyo, Tokyo (March 2)

One of the members of the Tokyo group of Noh no Ikebana invited me to join the activity. I’m thoroughly moved by the way they appreciate the uniqueness of each piece of vegetables, even those in irregular sizes and shapes, and use all of them effectively as part of their arrangements. So I launched the club in Tanashi city to let more people know about Noh no Ikebana. The club in Tanashi started holding exhibitions in 2011 at an open space at the entrance of Nishi-Tokyo City Hall. From those who saw the displays, we have feedbacks like “It’s nice to see those classic farm tools,” and “I haven’t seen … Continue reading

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