【Editorial】 Leaning from PED outbreak (Sept. 24, 2014)

Posted on 2014-09-24 by The Japan Agricultural News

  Nearly a year passed since the first case of porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) in seven years was reported in Japan. The outbreak spread to 38 prefectures, with more than 1.2 million pigs falling victim. The disease killed roughly 370,000 of them, mainly piglets. It posed a serious threat to the hog farmers’ business, bringing renewed attention to the importance of biosecurity. Following the outbreak of PED reported in Okinawa Prefecture on Oct. 1, 2013, the disease spread throughout the nation, especially in the southern Kyushu region. Although it seemed to be nearly under control this summer, another case was reported in the Kanto region in September. The risk of … Continue reading →

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【News】 The survey shows 80 percent of the consumers distrust the safety of processed food (Sept. 22, 2014)

Posted on 2014-09-22 by The Japan Agricultural News

  The consumption trend survey conducted by the Japan Finance Corporation found that 80 percent of the Japanese consumers do not trust processed food. The fact that most of them are processed overseas is considered to be behind this strong feeling of distrust. This survey result suggests again that the crucial issue for agricultural policies is to accommodate the needs of consumers by shifting ingredients of processed food from imported products to domestic ones. The survey, which is to be conducted twice a year, was executed from July 1 to 8, to 2,000 people in Japan (from their 20s to 70s; both males and females, 1,000 respondents respectively). It was … Continue reading →

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【News】 Easy swallowing food for aging society (Sept. 21, 2014)

Posted on 2014-09-21 by The Japan Agricultural News

Kotaro Yamada Recipes for dysphagia are drawing attentions in the fast-aging society of Japan. Hospitals and aged care facilities all over the country are doing their best to “recreate” traditional food such as Japanese hot pod dishes for people having difficulties chewing and swallowing. They do so by using mashed-up ingredients and gelatin and shaping them into certain shapes. On September 19, 2014, a contest for easy swallowing traditional food recipes was held in Koto-ku, Tokyo, jointly by Health care Central Kitchen Association of Japan and Engeshoku.com. In the venue were 163 traditional dishes looking and tasting almost exactly the same as their original models but prepared to be soft … Continue reading →

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【News】 University students and old hands join hands to open way for resurgence of broom corn and zashiki brooms in Japan (Sept. 21, 2014)

Posted on 2014-09-21 by The Japan Agricultural News

Kotaro Yamada – Zashiki brooms (Tochigi Prefecture) – Zashiki brooms are one of the specialties of Tochigi Prefecture that can date back to the Edo period. To carry on the tradition for future generations and help old hands to make brooms using locally-harvested broom corn, a group of Utsunomiya University students are now trying hard to grow broom corn plants in Kanuma-shi, Tochigi Prefecture. ◇　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　◇ “It turned out better than we expected,” said Yoshiaki Tsukui, 21, a senior student in agriculture and a member of the broom corn resurgence project in Kanuma-shi, Tochigi Prefecture while harvesting the plant at a quick pace. The project started in April 2013 voluntarily by … Continue reading →

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【Interviews】 International Co-operative Alliance head stresses significance of co-ops as business model (Sept. 18, 2014)

Posted on 2014-09-18 by The Japan Agricultural News

  Following is an interview with International Co-operative Alliance President Pauline Green regarding global trends surrounding co-operatives and the focus of the organization’s report on Japan’s deregulation expected to be compiled next month. She is a member of an inquiry commission established by the ICA to look into Japan’s deregulation. Q. Co-operatives are generally more vulnerable to risks such as financial crisis compared with private enterprises. In spite of that, governments in many areas are said to be interfering in co-operative activities. A. This is because co-operatives’ presence is getting bigger. Co-operatives have become bigger in size and stronger, thus attracting more attention. We now receive more attention as a … Continue reading →

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