MIYAZAKI, Sept. 4 — A variety of agriculture and forestry practices that make use of woodlands and mountain slopes have been handed down for generations in the three towns and two villages of the Takachihogo and Shiibayama areas in Miyazaki Prefecture, located in the middle of the Kyushu Mountains in southern Japan. The local people have established a sustainable system of agriculture and forestry to coexist with the mountains, including the traditional field burning in the village of Shiiba. The system was designated as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS) by the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations in 2015. On Aug. 16, a fire was lit … Continue reading →

TOKYO, Aug. 30 – August 31 is Vegetable Day in Japan because the numbers 8, 3, and 1 can be read as “ya-sa-i,” which means vegetable in Japanese. Ahead of the day, the Japan Agricultural Newspaper conducted a reader survey, “Vegetable General Election,” to ask, “What is your favorite vegetable?” Tomatoes ranked top with 35 points, while eggplants finished close 2nd and cucumbers 3rd. Summer vegetable in season took most of the top slots. The survey was announced in the papers and through messages to friends of Japan Agricultural Newspaper’s one of the official Line accounts. Then, it was conducted via the Internet on August 14 through 23. It also … Continue reading →

  TOKYO, Aug. 29 — Candy apples, iconic summer festival treats in Japan which have been popular for decades, are evolving into fine-tuned sweets in recent years. Specialty stores are popping up, offering cute-looking products coming in different flavors using good-tasting domestically-grown apples. DIY kits are also being sold for those who want to make candy apples at home. The popularity of candy-coated apples is spreading, as not only women and young people but a wide variety of people now enjoy them as everyday sweets, giving apple growers the opportunity to boost consumption of homegrown apples. Pomme d’Amour Co. in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward uses apples from Aomori Prefecture to make … Continue reading →

TOKYO, HOKKAIDO, Aug. 16 – Japanese milk and dairy products are becoming increasingly popular abroad, as many inbound visitors to Japan have become fans of sold at convenience stores and all different kinds of ice creams with flavors unique to Japan after their Japan visit. Japan’s exports of milk and dairy products increased by more than 20% in value from a record high in the previous year, and dairy producers and industry groups are trying to take the opportunity to increase exports and the consumption of inbound travelers by making solid efforts.   Consumption growing in Asia According to the Farm Ministry of Japan, the country’s exports of milk and … Continue reading →