Category Archives: Others

TOKYO, July 24 — Japan is recently exporting more high-yield rice varieties as Japanese-grown rice is increasingly accepted abroad. Rice dealers hope to expand sales channels further with a lineup of reasonably-priced products. Some prefectures are developing new varieties targeting overseas consumers while others are seeking to create added values by exploring agriculture with lower environmental load. Japan’s rice exports are expanding steadily, with shipments in the January-May period rising 30 percent from the same period last year to roughly 13,000 tons. The figure is close to the volume of exports marked in the whole of 2018, reflecting the growing popularity of Japanese-grown rice in foreign countries. Rice growing areas … Continue reading →

IWATE, July 12 — Rice paddy art depicting Los Angeles Angels two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani appeared in his hometown Oshu, Iwate Prefecture. The creation of the artwork on rice fields was resumed following three years of suspension after a group of farmers volunteered to work on it in response to requests from local people. The farmers said they hope Ohtani will continue to thrive just like how he is illustrated in the artwork. Oshu had an organization entrusted with making rice paddy art of Ohtani, but the last time it created the art was in 2019 and its activity has been suspended since then due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In … Continue reading →

HOKKAIDO, July 7 – The 35th International Agricultural Machinery Show in Obihiro, one of Japan’s largest agri-machinery exhibitions, is held in Obihiro City, Hokkaido, on June 6 to 10, 2023. The show is back for the first time in five years, gathering 114 manufacturers and organizations from home and abroad, with many presenting large-sized machineries and processors including smart agricultural vehicles featuring the application of information and communication technology (ICT). Claas from Germany has a display of a large 400+ horsepower (hp) combine harvester with a 12,500-liter grain tank and an attachment for harvesting grain corn, whose production is multiplying in Japan. According to MSK Farm Machinery, the importer, the … Continue reading →

TOKYO, Apr. 16 – Capsule toys featuring agricultural products have been appearing on the Gacha Gacha toy market in succession. A Japan Agricultural News reporter confirmed at least thirty series, including seed and fertilizer bags with soil-like contents. Who’s buying such a niche product? There are many Gacha Gacha specialty stores in Akihabara, Tokyo, where Japan Agricultural News headquarters are located. When we checked one, it had about 100 capsule vending machines with ten selling agri-themed Gacha toys at prices varying from 300 yen to 500 yen each. On the internet, we also found at least 20 other sets of capsule toys featuring agriculture. They are realistic miniature figures of … Continue reading →

TOKYO, April 9 — As drinks with less caffeine attract attention, efforts are made to develop green tea products with reduced caffeine. Research institutions, such as those affiliated with local governments, are working to determine low-caffeine tea varieties or the harvesting time when tea leaves contain less caffeine, as well as establishing their own processing technology to reduce caffeine content. They are aiming at seeking new demands and expanding exports. There are some low-caffeine green tea products, but the lineup has not taken root as such items require designated facilities and knowhow to produce, and their flavor and color change when caffeine is taken out. Many prefectures are attempting to … Continue reading →