Tag Archives: News

【News】 Stay cool with flowing noodles (July 4, 2014)

  Kotaro Yamada Visitors at Asakusa Shrine had an opportunity to enjoy “flowing fine white noodles” at a fun event cosponsored by Japan Federation of Dry Noodle Manufacturers Associations. The noodles prepared by as many as 15 prefectures nationwide including Akita and Kagawa Prefectures were served to 500 visitors a day for free from July 1 to 7 to call an  attention to the Somen Day on July 7 and encourage people to have more somen this year to survive the hot summer. The event was held for the first time, targeting shrine visitors who come to drive away ill luck during the first six months of the year and … Continue reading

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【News】 “Wagyu” beef brands springing up in US (July 4, 2014)

  Hana Saito,  Masaru Yamada 25 beef brands including the word “wagyu” (meaning Japanese beef) are registered in the United States with 12 more filed under application as of Thursday, July 3, it was learned. Beef dealers are becoming eager to register their brands as wagyu beef, as they see business chances in the increasing popularity of Japanese cuisine. The National Federation of Agricultural Co-operative Associations (JA Zen-Noh), which markets agricultural products made in Japan, has also applied for trademark registration of wagyu beef. In the U.S., however, beef from wagyu-cross cattle is also marketed as wagyu beef. In order for Japan to promote U.S.-bound beef exports amid intensifying market … Continue reading

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【News】 Passing Down History of Japan’s New World Heritage to Children (June 29, 2014)

  Kotaro Yamada – Junior Tour Guide Training Program at Tomioka Silk Mill – (Tomioka-shi, Gunma Prefecture) The city of Tomioka in Gunma Prefecture is now offering its first course targeting local children who are interested in becoming junior tour guides at a new World Cultural Heritage, Tomioka Silk Mill. The program aims to provide children with thorough knowledge of the history and cultural importance of the mill and let them have opportunities to lead visitors. “How big is the mill?” asked a student. “It’s three times bigger than the Tokyo Dome or seven times bigger than a soccer stadium,” answered Takatoshi Sato, 74, a veteran guide who is also … Continue reading

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【News】 Abe eager to conduct sweeping overhaul of agricultural co-operative group (June 25, 2014)

  The government revised its 10-year plan to revitalize the agricultural industry and regions on Tuesday, June 24, newly including abolishment of the agricultural hierarchy headed by the Central Union of Agricultural Co-operatives (JA-Zenchu). Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said the same day the current top-down structure of JA-Zenchu having legal authority to supervise management of primary agricultural co-operatives will be scrapped. The issue is likely to become a major focus of debate to be held in autumn through the year-end, as the ruling Liberal Democratic Party lawmakers who are close to the agricultural industry strongly oppose to the government’s plan. The 10-year plan, which was compiled last year, was revised … Continue reading

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【News】 Predicted breakdown of underpopulated local communities creates stir among residents (June 24, 2014)

  Residents struggling to revitalize depopulated areas are shocked by the Japan Policy Council’s study released last month which gave a list of towns and villages highly likely to disappear due to population decline. The think tank’s panel of experts, headed by former internal affairs minister Hiroya Masuda, said that in 2040, 896 municipalities nationwide would see their populations of young women decline considerably, making 523 municipalities suffer from a population drop below 10,000 with high possibility of being eventually emptied. It recommended that public assistance be concentrated in major regional cities in order to prevent people from moving to metropolitan areas. People living in rural villages, who have eagerly … Continue reading

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