Category Archives: Food & Agriculture

  TOKYO, June 25 — Marketing campaigns for cherries are intensifying as many large-size, photogenic cherry brands have debuted in recent years. Yamagata Prefecture is widely promoting its new cherry variety Yamagata Benio which made a full-scale debut this year. The new variety is promoted among a variety of people from wholesalers to young people to increase its brand recognition to become the driving force for the growing region. Aomori Prefecture is seeking to attract new customers to boost consumption of its cherry variety Juno Heart by selling the cherries in a package that looks like a jewelry box. High-end parfait Yamagata Benio is known for its size as big … Continue reading →

Ehime, June 17 – Iseki & Co., Ltd. has released, this month, the world’s first tractor equipped with a seatbelt reminder, a system that emits an alarming sound when a driver not wearing seatbelt attempts to drive the vehicle. To ensure drivers’ safety, the farm ministry of Japan is considering making a seatbelt reminder standard equipment on new tractor models to be released after April 2025. The leading Japanese agricultural machinery manufacturing company based in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, decided to introduce it before the mandatory introduction. All passenger vehicles in Japan must have the device under the Road Trucking Vehicle Act of Japan. The ministry has been discussing making it … Continue reading →

TOKYO, June 16 — Following the sudden death of legend breeding bull Fukunohime that led Japan’s wagyu production, all eyes are on which bull will succeed him for beef cattle producing regions to entrust their future to. At the center of attention is Fukunohime-sired bull Fukunotsuru, while some producing regions pin hopes on locally-born bulls. Fukunohime, which enjoyed overwhelming popularity nationwide for its ability to produce calves with high growth performance and carcass yield, died of acute heart failure on June 2 at the age of 10 years and 10 months. Many beef producing regions have high expectations for Fukunotsuru, with a Hokkaido breeder saying, “I hope he will produce … Continue reading →

HYOGO, Jun.9 – A lady in traditional long-sleeve kimono had a beef sword in hand and swiftly cut a block of Wagyu beef like an artist. Marika Watanabe, 28, is a Japanese master butcher who travels worldwide to present her wagyu cutting demonstrations as a “wagyu kimono butcher.” She often talks with Wagyu beef producers in Japan as well. “I know the farmers raise cows with great care. I respect their efforts, so I must derive full value from their wagyu meat,” she said. There was a big block of Kobe beef sitting in front of her. She quickly tucked up her sleeves with a sash and cut the meat … Continue reading →

TOKYO, June 6 — The Livestock Improvement Association of Japan announced on June 5 that Fukunohime, a Japanese black breeding bull kept by the association, died of acute heart failure on June 2 at the age of 10 years and 10 months. Fukunohime has been known as a “super breeding bull” for its ability to produce calves with high growth performance and carcass yield. His progenies have been the price setter at calf trading markets nationwide and achieved good results at national carcass contests. The association says there are not enough semen stocks left to meet the current demand. Fukunohime was born in Otawara, Tochigi Prefecture. His father is Yoshinokuni … Continue reading →