Category Archives: Others

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 →

TOKYO, Jul. 29 – Many Internet shoppers are suffering the problems of not being able to receive their purchases due to a failure in import procedures of plants and seeds. The fact was revealed in an interview with a plant protection station in Japan. Imported plant with no inspection certificate issued by the plant protection agency of the exporting country can only be discarded or returned, if it doesn’t pass the inspection in Japan. Many of the online purchasers don’t even know that they are importing the products. “To avoid such problems, make sure to check the location of the shop you are looking at even if it’s on a … Continue reading →

SHIGA, Jul. 18 – The world’s first pumpkin breed that is resistant to powdery mildew was unveiled yesterday to vegetable producers and agricultural management instructors from an agricultural cooperative (JA) in Shiga Prefecture. The new robust variety is expected to give increased yield and ensure a lower burden for controlling the disease. The new variety is named TNK-157 and developed by a Japanese seed maker of vegetables and flowers, Takii Co. The company has already acquired the license and began trial production at limited locations. Powdery mildew is a disease that causes white powdery spots on the leaves. Severely affected plants can die. With pumpkins, it may affect the leaves … Continue reading →