Category Archives: Others

Geneva, Switzerland, Nov, 27 – A Tokyo-based all-round rice producer participated in an international conference on human rights at the United Nations European headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, on November 27, 2019, and told the participants that its unique rice processing technology is contributing to the environment and people’s health while helping people to fulfill the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The company, Toyo Rice Corporation, says it’s the first Japanese corporation to make a presentation on SDGs at a U.N. meeting. The three-day conference was held on November 25-27, 2019, with approximately 2,000 participants from 190 countries and regions all over the world. According to Toyo Rice, the expansion … Continue reading →

TOKYO, Oct. 16 – Damage caused by the typhoon that blew through mainly the eastern part Japan on Saturday has become more apparent on October 15, 2019. Because of the torrential rains caused by the Typhoon Hagibis, many rivers overflowed and inundated houses, farmlands, and greenhouses. The water attacks were confirmed at many places in the eastern part of Japan, and enormous agricultural damages are expected. However, it will take time to clarify the whole picture. Ibaraki Prefecture: No prospect for recovery In Ibaraki Prefecture, the Naka River overflowed, flooding the greenhouses of nearby farmers. Some of the nurseries now have broken frames and mud inside, which make it extremely … Continue reading →

TOKYO, Oct. 18 – The farm ministry of Japan said on October 18, 2019, that estimated loss in the agriculture, forestry, and fishery industry caused by Typhoon Hagibis reached 38.28 billion as of 5 a.m. on the same day. The figure, which is based on the reports from 34 prefectures, is expected to grow further. In the agricultural industry, the powerful storm caused the loss of the products worth 449 billion at the farmland of 8,693 hectares in total. It hit the farmers who grow rice, soybeans, vegetables, strawberries, apples, pears, and many others. Damages by categories are 122,573 livestock animals (30 million yen), 1,704 greenhouses (1.08 billion yen), 43 … Continue reading →

Hyogo, Sep. 26 – In October this year, beef producers and sellers in Hyogo Prefecture introduced DNA testing as part of efforts to make the control over Kobe and Tajima brand high-reputation beef more stringent. Six certified Kobe beef slaughterhouses now collect meat samples when a Kobe cow is slaughtered and send the samples to a newly-established meat center in Himeji City. The center will mark the samples with unique identification numbers and store them, so that people can check meat in the market against the DNA of the stored samples. The identification numbers will be printed on the meat certificates. Butcher’s shops or restaurants can check if the labels … Continue reading →

CHIBA, Sep. 10 – A strong typhoon Faxai landed Chiba, near Tokyo, before 5 a.m. It was the largest typhoon landed in the Kanto region and registered a maximum instantaneous wind speed of 57.5 meters per second in Chuo Ward, Chiba City, 49 meters in Kisarazu City, Chiba Prefecture, and 43.2 meters in Ota Ward, Tokyo. The powerful storm slammed pears, kiwis and many other ripe fruits and knocked down greenhouses, causing devastating damage on farmers. Local agricultural cooperatives (JAs) were swamped by the work to confirm the loss. From September 8 to 9, the massive typhoon Faxai traveled over the Izu Island chain and the Kanto region before it … Continue reading →