Tag Archives: News

【News】 1,500 people call for protection of farm products in TPP talks (May 20, 2015)

Some 1,500 people in the agriculture sector gathered from across the nation on Tuesday, May 19, in Tokyo to call on the government to protect sensitive farm items ahead of the ministerial meeting of the Trans-Pacific Partnership free-trade talks expected later in the month. The Central Union of Agricultural Co-operatives (JA-Zenchu) and a national political organization of farmers which hosted the rally invited ruling parties’ lawmakers and urged them to keep the Diet resolutions which pledged to protect key agricultural products such as rice and beef from tariff elimination. The United States Senate began deliberating the Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) bill, which would give the White House more authority to … Continue reading

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【News】 Profound skills of fishing masters exhibited (May 17, 2015)

Kazuhiro Egchi – Ukai Cormorant Fishing on Nagara River (Gifu-shi, Gifu Prefecture) – The season for ukai (cormorant fishing) has started on the Nagara River in Gifu-shi, Gifu Prefecture. The fishing method has a history of 1,300 years and is deeply routed in the life of the locals. In March 2015, it was designated as an important intangible folk cultural asset of Japan for the first time among the skills in the agriculture, forestry and fisheries industries and is receiving increased recognition for its traditional and cultural values. There are six fishing masters who run the traditional fishing boats on the Nagara River. Each of them manipulates ten to twelve … Continue reading

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【News】 Green tea consumption soars after reports on its effects to reduce mortality risk (May 14, 2015)

More people are buying green tea leaves after an announcement by a team of researchers from the National Cancer Center and other institutions that those who drink green tea daily have less risk of dying from cerebral vascular and respiratory diseases compared with those who barely drink the beverage. The number of health-conscious customers increased sharply at stores in Tokyo, and dealers and promoters of green tea hope to make use of the chance to revive the popularity of green tea. Cha no Kiminoen, an established tea store in Ameya Yokocho market street in Tokyo’s Taito Ward, is receiving new customers after the release of the research results. Many young … Continue reading

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【News】 WTO members urge China, South Korea and Taiwan to agree on expanding zero-tariff digital products (May 13, 2015)

  Satoko Adachi – Geneva Amid unclear prospects over negotiations to eliminate tariffs on additional high-technology products under the World Trade Organization, industrialized countries such as Japan, the United States and the European Union are stepping up pressure on China, South Korea and Taiwan to come to agreement on the list of items. They are eager to settle the negotiations on the expanded Information Technology Agreement (ITA) before the summer break in order for member countries to conclude the talks at its ministerial meeting scheduled in Nairobi in December. However, the talks remain stalled after South Korea and Taiwan expressed opposition to an agreement reached between the U.S. and China … Continue reading

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【News】 Gachapon by farmers’ association has pickled plum in capsule! (May 9, 2015)

Insert two 100 yen coins into the machine and turn the handle to get the product. But please note it’s not a toy but a real umeboshi, a Japanese pickled plum, in a capsule. This amazing experience is brought by Gachapon coin-operated capsule umeboshi (not toy) vending machines, which are introduced by Kishu Minabe Umeboshi (Pickled Plum) Producers Association based in Minabe-cho, Wakayama Prefecture. The association introduced them in order to encourage children to eat more umeboshi, and accordingly to recover its consumption. It seems that they are doing a good job. The first capsule umeboshi vending machine was introduced in late January quite successfully. So now, you can find … Continue reading

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