Category Archives: Food & Agriculture

Japanese scientists succeed in first soybean genome-editing

TOKYO, Oct. 16 — A group of Japanese scientists using advanced genome-editing technologies has succeeded in editing genes that contribute to the size of soybeans. The team of agricultural scientists, from Hokkaido University, Yokohama City University and the National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, edited the genome from grain. Genome refers to the entire DNA sequence of an organism, and genome editing is to make specific changes to the DNA of an organism. The research team focused on the crop size. “But the results in the lab that show promise could lead to reduced molecules of soy allergens,” said Tetsuya Yamada from Hokkaido University’s graduate research faculty of agriculture. Yet, … Continue reading

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JA Miyagi groups push Japanese pear exports to Vietnam

MIYAGI, Oct. 15 — Japanese agriculture cooperatives in northern Japan have held a promotional event for their pears in Ho Chi Min city, after Vietnam lifted a 10-year ban on this crunchy fruit from Japan in January. The Japanese pear, known as nashi, is apple-shaped with golden speckled skin and is somewhat different to a European pear; it is firm, crispy, sweet and juicy. JA Miyagi Sennan and groups from its area displayed their Miyagi Zao nashi and offered tastings to customers at a Japanese chain supermarket in the southern Vietnamese city on Oct. 14. JA Miyagi Sennan officials said Southeast Asia is a potential market worth pursuing. The Japanese … Continue reading

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Farmers live longer, healthier lives, with less risk of hyperlipidemia and hypertension, Shimane University’s study says

SHIMANE, Oct. 5 – Farm work is effective in controlling the occurrence of lipid disorders and hypertension, according to the new study by Masayuki Yamasaki, associate professor of Shimane University, and his research associates. The study suggested that, compared to farmers, those who are not engaged in farm work have a nearly-doubled likelihood of developing lipid disorders, while the blood pressure of farmers is relatively lower. Yamasaki explained that farm work “can help people live longer their healthier lives” by controlling lipid disorders, which can be a cause of myocardial or cerebral infarctions, and high blood pressure, which can be a cause of arterial stiffening. The study was conducted between … Continue reading

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Japanese food producers explore new markets at food expo

CHIBA, Oct. 12 — About 300 Japanese food producers have participated at the national export food fair, taking place at the Makuhari Messe, a convention hall in Chiba city, east of Tokyo, from Oct. 11 to 13. This was the first government-backed export food fair, in line with efforts to help Japanese agri-food producers to promote their products in overseas markets and secure new export opportunities. The Japanese government has set a target to boost the annual value of agricultural exports to 1 trillion yen by 2020. The expo featured some 20,000 food items, including Japanese pears, green tea powder and long-life UHT milk. More than 1,000 buyers from 66 … Continue reading

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Japan-grown fig tempura is now on food chain Tenya’s menu

ASAKURA, Oct. 11 — A Japanese agriculture cooperative in the southern island of Kyushu has teamed up with the fast food tempura chain, Tendon Tenya, using a locally-produced fruit: Fig tempura. The Japanese tempura bowl operator has a typical menu that consists of a bowl of rice topped with tempura. Toiling with six months of trial and error, the food chain developed the new product, using “Toyomitsu-hime” figs produced by JA Chikuzen Asakura, the agricultural cooperative in Asakura city, Fukuoka prefecture. The new fruit tempura is now on the menu at Tendon Tenya until Oct. 30. A portion of the sales will be donated to northern Kyushu areas that were … Continue reading

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