New types of wagashi hitting market as healthy, long-life treats

TOKYO,Aug.27 – Many new-wave wagashi, traditional Japanese confections, are hitting the market, responding to the changing preferences and lifestyles of consumers who want to live a healthy life and have long-life wagashi. Some confectioneries introduced new ingredients to add value, for example, to win over a wide variety of consumers. Such efforts are providing a tailwind to the wagashi market, which is now back on a recovery track thanks to the stay-at-home consumption rising from the Covid-19 pandemic. (Writer: Chika Oyama) ■Traditional Dorayaki for health-conscious people Eitaro Sohonpo Co. Ltd. (Chuo Ward, Tokyo) sells a new delicious and healthy sweet, “Slow-calorie Dorayaki (260 yen per piece),” at its main shop … Continue reading

Posted in Food & Agriculture | Comments Off on New types of wagashi hitting market as healthy, long-life treats

Unidentified brown bear “OSO18” attacking milk cows in eastern Hokkaido, threatening dairy farmers

HOKKAIDO, Aug. 31 – An area in eastern Hokkaido with a thriving dairy industry has recently been suffering from damage caused by an unidentified giant brown bear attacking milk cows and ruining crops of corn for feed. Local hunters are making every effort to hunt the bear, but they have not been able to capture the animal. There had not been any cases in the past of brown bears attacking livestock, but since 2019, attacks on milk cows leading to injuries and deaths have been reported every year. Dairy farmers are forced to continue business with feelings of fear amid the abnormal situation. The unidentified bear is given a code … Continue reading

Posted in Others | Comments Off on Unidentified brown bear “OSO18” attacking milk cows in eastern Hokkaido, threatening dairy farmers

Wagyu-brand beef and cowhide producers present original gloves to celebrate Orix Buffaloes’ victory

HYOGO, Jan. 15 – “Please use these Awaji brand wagyu baseball gloves to win another Pacific League title this year again!” On January 14, Awaji brand wagyu beef and cowhide producers on Awaji Island, Hyogo Prefecture, presented original baseball gloves made of Awaji wagyu brand cattle hide to baseball players of Orix Buffaloes, a winner of the 2021 Pacific League title in Japan. The Hyogo-based Japanese baseball team captured its first pennant in a quarter-century last year. To celebrate the victory, two local entities, the Awaji Beef Branding Promotion Council and the Awaji Island Leather Council, decided to present the gloves to two Awaji native players of the Buffaloes. Last … Continue reading

Posted in Food & Agriculture, Others | Comments Off on Wagyu-brand beef and cowhide producers present original gloves to celebrate Orix Buffaloes’ victory

Moving forward in autumn sunshine

FUKUSHIMA, Jan. 4 – Farming villages in Japan are filled with dazzling arrays of colors. Here in Fukushima, you’ll find one of the best sights from the villages with a very long farming history. Trains are running on the JR Suigun Line through the golden countryside of Asagawa Town, Fukushima Prefecture. In October 2019, Japan Railways shut down some parts of the Suigun Line when heavy rain caused by a typhoon washed out some bridges over flooded rivers. The rain also left severe damage to local rice growers as it broke down the Yashiro River, which flows through the town. After one year and five months, in March 2021, the … Continue reading

Posted in Food & Agriculture, Photos | Comments Off on Moving forward in autumn sunshine

Japan External Trade Organization executive vice president says exports key to boost farmers’ income

TOKYO, Jan. 9 – As Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) focuses on pushing exports of farm produce and food products, its executive vice president Mitsuhito Sendai said it is important to help raise farmers’ income through boosting exports. In an interview with The Japan Agricultural News, Sendai stressed that JETRO will take measures to support efforts to further promote exports amid the COVID-19 pandemic, based on successful cases. He said he believes it is possible for Japan to meet the government’s target of exporting agricultural and food products totaling 5 trillion yen in 2030, adding that the nation may be able to export 10 trillion yen, considering the increase in … Continue reading

Posted in Farm Policy, Food & Agriculture | Comments Off on Japan External Trade Organization executive vice president says exports key to boost farmers’ income