Category Archives: Food & Agriculture

【Analysis】The truth about Japan’s falling food self-sufficiency (Aug. 10)

Japan’s food self-sufficiency in calorie terms dropped for the first time in six years due in part to agricultural output dipping significantly after unfavorable weather conditions. This is, however, not the whole story. The Japanese government has sought to open its agricultural market for growth, yet it has remained negligent when it comes to food security. The administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has, since the beginning of 2013, sought trade liberalization via a series of free trade agreements: Japan-Australia economic partnership agreement (EPA); the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP); and most recently the Japan-EU EPA. Those agreements were reached on increased market access for foreign farm products in Japan, in exchange … Continue reading

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Japan’s miso keeps blood pressure from climbing, study shows

TOKYO, Aug. 5 — Miso, a Japanese traditional paste, keeps blood pressure from climbing, which lowers the risk of developing health problems such as strokes, a new study has found. Hiroshima University’s Honorary Professor Hiromitsu Watanabe led the findings, published in an American medical journal specializing in high blood pressure on July 31. “You can benefit only by switching seasoning from salt to miso,” Professor Watanabe recommends. It is widely known that salt increases blood pressure. Studies previously showed miso prevents lung cancer as well as gastric cancer, a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. This time, the findings show that miso has an effect to improve blood pressure. Miso … Continue reading

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Japanese researchers develop the world’s first blue chrysanthemum

  TOKYO, Aug. 7 – A research team of the National Agriculture and Food Research Organization and Suntory Global Innovation Center has finally succeeded in developing the world’s first blue chrysanthemum. Chrysanthemums do not have blue flower varieties in nature, so the researchers used genetic engineering technology, using two types of genes taken from blue-flowering Canterbury bells and butterfly peas to turn chrysanthemum flowers blue. “Now that we can offer more color variations, we hope the demand for chrysanthemums at ceremonial occasions as well as for gifts will grow,” said an organization official. The organization, which has been engaged in the development of blue chrysanthemums since 2001, will conduct further … Continue reading

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Consumer Affairs Agency to require country of origin labeling on all processed foods

TOKYO, Aug. 2 – The Consumer Affairs Agency will require labeling of country of origin for all processed foods starting as early as the end of August. Amid the increase of food imports, the move is aimed at making it easier for consumers to distinguish between foreign products and domestically-produced foods, thus helping boost consumption of Japan-made products. Up till now, only a part of low-processed foods, such as dried mushrooms, were subject to such requirements. There will be a transition period for food companies to adapt to the new system which will fully come into force in April 2022. Under the new system, it will become mandatory for retailers … Continue reading

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WTO safeguard mechanism draws fire from US meat exporters

TOKYO, July 29 — U.S. meat exporters have said Japan’s safeguard on frozen beef imports from the U.S. and other countries is not governed by free trade agreements (FTAs) with Tokyo, and called for action to change the situation that dragged Washington into the trade remedy under the World Trade Organization (WTO). The U.S. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President Craig Uden said July 28 in a statement, “NCBA opposes artificial barriers like these because they unfairly distort the market and punish both producers and consumers. “We hope the Trump Administration and Congress realize that this unfortunate development underscores the urgent need for a bilateral trade agreement with Japan absent … Continue reading

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