Japan’s agriculture exports exceed record 800 bln yen in 2017

TOKYO, Feb. 10 — Japan’s agricultural exports broke the 800 billion yen barrier last year for the first time, as washoku or traditional Japanese food is riding a wave of global popularity. The exports of products such as agri-food, meat and seafood rose 8% to 807.3 billion yen in 2017 from the year earlier, preliminary data from the agriculture ministry showed. They grew for a fifth consecutive year, but at a slower pace than the government hoped for. Japan has set a target of 1 trillion yen in agricultural exports by 2020, as domestic consumption has continued sliding. It needs a 10% annual growth rate in the next two years, … Continue reading

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Japan aims to boost wild game meat sales to cut crop damage

TOKYO, Feb. 11 — Looking for deer meat on sale in Japan? Game meat is famous for being low in fat but high in nutrition. But in Japan, people seldom eat it, so the meat of captured wild animals usually ends up being buried or incinerated. Japan sold 1,283 metric tons of wild game meat in 2016, valued at 3 billion yen, the agriculture ministry said. The ministry initiated hearings from butchering facilities that slaughter wild boar and deer killed by hunters. It said game meats sold to restaurants totaled 1,015 metric tons, accounting for nearly 80 percent of the overall sales. Others were sold as food for domestic animals … Continue reading

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Japan’s rice group launches promotional campaign in China

TOKYO, Feb. 6 — The Japan Rice and Rice Industry Export Promotion Association (JRE) has launched a promotional campaign on Japanese rice in China this month. The JRE has tied up with ABC Cooking Studio, a Japanese cooking school, to offer at seven cities in China a total of 14 lessons on how to properly cook Japanese rice through March. Chinese customers can also learn recipes that use Japanese rice, such as onigiri and temari-zushi, a small ball-shaped sushi. The group said it will target mothers and people who take cooking classes to raise brand awareness about the Japanese rice. It will also promote Japanese prepackaged rice to Chinese customers. … Continue reading

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Japan may reopen market to UK beef imports after 22-year ban

TOKYO, Feb. 7 — Japan may conditionally lift bans on imports of British beef this year, ending a 22-year old ban after a 1986 outbreak of mad cow disease in the UK. On Feb. 6, the Cabinet Offices committee on food safety approved a report warranting the safety of British beef. The committee concluded that it would be safe to eat British beef if it comes from cattle under 30 months old and risky parts of beef cows, such as tonsils, marrow and spine, should be removed after the animal is slaughtered. The health ministry will soon dispatch officials to the UK to inspect beef processing factories that have a … Continue reading

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Japan’s MPs want flower bouquets at 2020 Tokyo Olympics

TOKYO, Feb. 3 — Some Japanese MPs want to bring a tradition back along with medals at the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics in 2020: flowers. At the Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea, instead of flowers, medalists have been given a doll of the games mascot wearing a gold, silver or bronze hat. Paralympic medal winners will be also given a doll of their games mascot. The move started from the 2016 Rio Olympics which cut flower bouquets for athletes due to Brazil’s eco-friendly Olympics pledge, as environmental problems have been coming to light in recent Olympic Games. As Japan gears up to welcome the world to the Olympic … Continue reading

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