Demand of imported rice for food service is strong in Japan

TOKYO, Feb. 21 — Japan’s purchases of imported rice have reached the limit of 100,000 metric tons through the simultaneous buy and sell (SBS) tendering system in fiscal 2017. The purchases highlight the shortage of cheap Japanese-grown rice for the food service industry. The fifth round of the SBS tenders in the fiscal year ending March 31 was held on Feb 20. A total of 14,898 metric tons of imported rice from all origins was successfully bid during the auction, fulfilling the target of 100,000 metric tons, the agriculture ministry said. Of those tons, the U.S. was the largest supplier with a market share of 58 percent, followed by Australia … Continue reading

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Japanese MPs oppose US renegotiating TPP; govt keeps silent

TOKYO, Feb. 22 — A group of Japanese MPs have reaffirmed their opposition to  the government renegotiating the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) with the United States. The MPs from the governing Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) who formed a group to protect the nation’s interests in the TPP held a meeting on Feb. 21. “TPP was a result of long and complex negotiations,” said Taku Eto, who chaired the meeting. “After simply dumping it, how could they (the U.S.) come back to unravel the whole process?” The move came as U.S. President Donald Trump said in January that he might consider rejoining the trade pact, if he could get a “better deal” … Continue reading

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Tourists’ spending on foods in Japan hits a record high in 2017

TOKYO, Feb. 12 — Overseas tourists’ spending on foods in Japan surged to a record high in 2017, with the growing worldwide popularity of traditional Japanese cuisine, called washoku. While visiting Japan, overseas tourists spent a record 345.6 billion yen in 2017, up 19% from a year earlier, preliminary estimates from the agriculture ministry showed. Tourists’ spending on Japanese snacks totaled 158.9 billion yen, while that on other foods including sake, tobacco and beverage products was 186.8 billion yen. The top spenders on foods were from China, South Korea and Taiwan, highlighting Japan’s popularity as a destination for Asian neighbors. There was also a growth in visitors from Hong Kong, … Continue reading

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Miyazaki-brand beef included in official Oscars 2018 after-party menu

MIYAZAKI, March 1 – A brand beef from Miyazaki Prefecture is going to be served at the reception after the 90th Academy Awards ceremony in the U.S. on March 4, 2018. It’s the first time for the authentic wagyu brand beef from the prefecture to be included in the buffet menu for the festivity for the film industry. A total of 136 kilograms of Miyazaki-brand beef is to be served to the winners, nominees and guests, a total of 1,500 people, as tartare or small-sized steaks. The proposal of offering Miyazaki wagyu beef at the reception was made by Miyuki Sohara, a Los-Angels-based film director from Miyakono-jo-shi, Miyazaki Prefecture, to … Continue reading

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Full text of TPP-11 deal lacks special treatment for U.S.

TOKYO, Feb. 23 – The full text of the new agreement under the Trans-Pacific Partnership framework without the United States was released on Feb. 21, but it does not include any preferential provisions to encourage the U.S. to rejoin the pact, which means if the U.S. wishes to be readmitted, it will be treated in the same way as any other country seeking membership. The new TPP agreement — now officially known as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership — is designed in a way that consensus from all 11 members would be required were the U.S. to join the deal as a new member, and some interpret … Continue reading

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