TOKYO, Apr. 11 – In April this year, a subsidiary of the National Federation of Agricultural Cooperative Associations (ZEN-NOH), Rakuo Kyodo Nyugyo Co., Ltd., started to sell two “Nokyo-Kaju-brand fruit juice products, “Wakayama-ken-san Mikan” and “Kudamono Mix” to help boost fruit production in Japan. The Nokyo-Kaju-brand juice was first released in 1973 by Zenkoku Nokyo Chokuhan Co., Ltd., a predecessor of Megmilk Snow Brand Co., Ltd., and sold until March 2010. “Wakayama-ken-san Mikan,” which means mandarin oranges from Wakayama Prefecture, is made 100% of Wakayama-grown mandarin oranges. The producer removes peels and skins and squeezes only pulp to ensure a smooth and clean taste with no bitterness. “Kudamono Mix,” meaning … Continue reading →

IBARAKI, April 12 — A row of cherry trees along an irrigation channel in Tsukubamirai, Ibaraki Prefecture, are now in full bloom. The row of cherry trees, made up mainly of some 450 Somei-yoshino variety trees, extends roughly 1.8 kilometers on the embankments of the irrigation canal managed by the Fukuoka Dam Land Improvement District, a local irrigation association. Local residents cherish the blossoms, calling them the Fukuoka Dam cherry blossoms. The Fukuoka Dam takes water from the Kokai River that runs along the border of the cities of Tsukubamirai and Joso in Ibaraki Prefecture. It supplies water to approximately 30 square kilometers of rice fields in the two cities … Continue reading →

CHIBA, April 6 — With imports of pear pollen from China suspended due to the recent outbreak of fire blight in the country, the city of Ichikawa in Chiba Prefecture has recruited pear flower picking volunteers as an emergency measure for growers to obtain pollen. The volunteers actively took part in hand-harvesting flowers after receiving training. Chiba boasts Japan’s largest pear cultivating area and Ichikawa is the No. 2 pear growing municipality in the prefecture. Following the suspension of Chinese-made pollen imports, the Ichikawa Municipal Government’s agriculture promotion division hurriedly recruited volunteers in January to make up for the shortage of workers collecting pollen. Artificial pollination is essential for pear … Continue reading →

TOKYO, March 26 — The Japan Agricultural News held an annual contest for local specialties on March 25 and the grand prize was awarded to Hatawasabeze, wasabi stems marinated in sunflower oil marketed by Iwaizumi Holdings based in the town of Iwaizumi, Iwate Prefecture. The product is made using hatawasabi — wasabi grown in fields — in which the town cultivates the largest amount in the country. It was highly evaluated for its unique tingling flavor that goes well with both Japanese and Western foods and the local efforts to promote the area using its specialty. Manga artist Mitsuru Yaku, head of the judging panel, said, “I was certainly impressed … Continue reading →