Category Archives: Others

Domestic soybeans in natto production reach 22 percent in 2018, increasing 2.5 times in five years

TOKYO, June 24 – Domestically-grown soybeans occupied 22 percent of soybeans used to produce natto in 2018, marking the highest proportion since statistics were first compiled in 2003, according to Japan Natto Cooperative Society Federation. Makers of the fermented soybeans are increasing the use of domestic soybeans in response to growing tendency among consumers to opt for food items produced in Japan, and also because such soybeans are more suited to processing compared to imported ones. However, since imported soybeans still occupy nearly 80 percent of soybeans used in natto production, efforts by producing regions to respond to growing demands will become the key to raising the nation’s self-sufficiency of … Continue reading

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Kokeshium: traditional craft and domestic flowers combined to make brilliant debut

TOKYO, Jun. 24 – A kokeshi-shaped herbarium bottle from You Kaen, a flower distributer and seller based in Setagaya Ward, Tokyo, has been a big hit. The name of the product is Kokeshium. It’s a kokeshi doll with a glass body that contains dried flowers of domestically-grown globe amaranth, sophila and such, and specially designed herbarium oil. On top of the bottle is the face of a traditional wooden doll called Naruko Kokeshi made by artisans in Osaki City, Miyazaki Prefecture. The florist proposed it to raise attention to traditional arts using flowers and unique design. As soon as the product was released in May in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, it … Continue reading

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JA Fukushima to build future with SDGs to dispel nuke anxiety

FUKUSHIMA, March 14 ― A farmers’ group in Fukushima prefecture has emphasized the need for implementation of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and its relevance in the context of Fukushima, which has been hit hard by the 2011 earthquake and nuclear disaster. JA Fukushima Mirai (future) has included the need for the successful implementation of SDGs in its three-year action plan that starts from 2019. It aims to dispel rumors about its safety in the wake of the meltdown at the Tokyo Electric Power Co.’s No.1 power station in the prefecture in 2011. Fukushima has set a target of more than 51 percent of local produce to be certified … Continue reading

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Japan’s Fundodai Goyo unveils new soy sauce with no color

KUMAMOTO, March 6 ― Fundodai Goyo Inc., a Kumatmoto-based maker of soy sauce and miso, has unveiled its new product: soy sauce with no color. To celebrate its 150th anniversary this year, Fundodai Goyo developed the new shoyu, which flavors and seasons like regular soy sauce, color but without reddish-brown color. With no color, the new product doesn’t darken the color of foods. One bottle, or 100 ml, costs 500 yen (about 4.45 dollars).

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JA Hokkaido opens a café in Tokyo to promote local products

TOKYO, March 1 ― A Farmers’ group in northern Japan is seeking to promote their products at a newly opened café in Tokyo, as the farmers are facing an influx of dairy imports due to the landmark trade deals such as the Japan-EU Economic Partnership Agreement. The agricultural cooperatives in Hokkaido, also known as Hokuren, has opened a new outlet “Milkland Hokkaido→Tokyo” at the busy shopping district of Jiyugaoka. The café offers menu that uses Hokkaido-grown farm products such as rice, corn and dairy products. It also offers cooking classes that also use locally made products.

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