Category Archives: Others

【Editorial】 Drastic action against climate change needed (Aug. 28, 2014)

  It is highly likely that western Japan will post the worst shortage of sunlight for August after the end of World War II. How should we face the current climate change, in which extreme weather has become the new normal? Time has come for farmers to think of drastic measures to prepare for disasters beyond expectations which have now turned into nothing out of the ordinary. According to the Meteorological Agency, sunlight hours in early August in both the Sea of Japan and the Pacific sides of western Japan were only 20 percent of an average August. If this trend continues throughout the month, the region is likely to … Continue reading

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【Editorial】 Say no to war on the 69th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II (Aug. 15, 2014)

  Aug. 15 marks the 69th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II. The tragic memories of the war are fading as the number of survivors is dwindling and more than 100 million of the Japanese are people born after the war. Amid weathering of wartime memories, the government formally reinterpreted the Constitution, overturning its core principle of pacifism to pave the way for the Self-Defense Forces to exercise military power abroad. Many people, including those who experienced war, have expressed concerns over the current social conditions which they say resemble the time when the war was looming. On the day commemorating the end of war, we should heed … Continue reading

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【News】 Fukushima farmers condemn TEPCO and government for not disclosing cesium fallout during debris removal (July 19, 2014)

  Tomokatsu Sowa Farmers of Minamisoma, Fukushima Prefecture, criticized the Tokyo Electric Power Co. and the agriculture ministry on Friday, July 18, for failing to make public for nearly a year that radioactive cesium has been dispersed during work last summer to remove debris at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant. The fallout may have caused radioactive contamination of rice grown in Minamisoma, as cesium exceeding the government limit of 100 becquerels per kilogram was detected in rice harvested last fall in the city, including areas located more than 20 km from the crippled nuclear plant. In a meeting between farmers, local governments, TEPCO and the ministry held in … Continue reading

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【News】 New health food labels to be introduced next year (July 19, 2014)

  The Consumer Affairs Agency has decided to allow all food products to be labeled as having health benefits to certain parts of the body starting next fiscal year, provided that producers offer scientific evidences, it was learned Friday, July 18. Under the new system, food manufacturers will be able to specifically label their products as being effective in helping maintain the health of eyes or bones for example. As for agricultural products, items with well-grounded health benefits are currently limited to such products as tangerines and green tea. In order to utilize the system to boost sales, it will be necessary to clarify functions of more food items. The … Continue reading

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【News】 Stay cool with flowing noodles (July 4, 2014)

  Kotaro Yamada Visitors at Asakusa Shrine had an opportunity to enjoy “flowing fine white noodles” at a fun event cosponsored by Japan Federation of Dry Noodle Manufacturers Associations. The noodles prepared by as many as 15 prefectures nationwide including Akita and Kagawa Prefectures were served to 500 visitors a day for free from July 1 to 7 to call an  attention to the Somen Day on July 7 and encourage people to have more somen this year to survive the hot summer. The event was held for the first time, targeting shrine visitors who come to drive away ill luck during the first six months of the year and … Continue reading

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