Category Archives: Others

TOKYO, March 18 — Japan has always been perceived as one of the world’s healthiest societies, as Japanese consumers are health conscious. But a recent survey suggests otherwise: more Japanese consumers are interested in economizing and willing to pay for convenience. The Japan Finance Corporation (JFC) conducted a survey in January with 2,000 individuals, aged between 20s and 70s. It posed questions what they think important on food. The survey found that the top reason for spending on food was still health, accounting for 42.9 percent, yet down 1.7 points from the previous survey in July 2017. On the other hand, 35.1 percent of the respondents care about lower-priced products, … Continue reading →

TOKYO, March 25 – Japan’s largest vegetable and fruit wholesaler is bolstering apple, strawberry, peach, and sweet potato export in 2018. The Tokyo-based wholesaler market, Tokyo Seika Co., Ltd., takes advantage of its capacity to source agricultural products stably from agricultural cooperatives (JAs) of all over Japan to stimulate the demand for Japanese products overseas. The wholesaler is going to set up a new unit in April to focus on business talks with producers, middle traders and trading companies and the supply of information to producers. As of April 1, 2018, Tokyo Seika will carry out organizational reform and establish “Export Office,” a new unit specialized in the export of … Continue reading →

TOKYO, March 8 — A Japanese milling company has developed domestically-produced wheat flour used to make pizza napoletana, commonly known outside Italy as a pizza margherita. Ebetsu flour milling Co. is now seeking certification for its new product from an Italian organization to be considered as flour for authentic pizza napoletana. “We want to contribute for expanding use of domestically produced wheat,” said Ebetsu President Toshiyuki Abiko. “Just knowing that we’re part of it makes us proud.” Japan is one of the largest wheat importing countries, and domestic production only accounts for about 10 percent of its total what supply. Pizza napoletana was given the protected status of a traditional … Continue reading →

TOKYO, March 7 — Japan has celebrated its success at the Oscars after Miyazaki wagyu beef was served at the post-Academy Awards feast in Hollywood. Miyazaki wagyu beef and Kirishima, a distilled liquor from Miyazaki prefecture, featured on the menu at the post-Academy Awards party. Around 1,500 guests got a chance to mingle after the 90th Oscars ceremony on March 4 in Los Angeles. “We’re really excited that our beef was selected,” Japanese Agriculture Minister Ken Saito said at a March 6 press conference. “The Oscars offered a very good opportunity to promote our foods and expand our food exports,” he added.