KAGOSHIMA, TOYAMA, Sep. 7 – “Extensive management practices” are spreading in Japan as part of the initiatives to keep farmlands, preventing them from becoming abundant, with a small workload. In Kagoshima Prefecture, farmers and beekeepers turned unused farmlands into nectar sources. In Toyama Prefecture, farmers plan to change idle lands to pastures that require less money and work. The farm ministry of Japan started subsidizing such projects in fiscal 2021. People welcome the moves, saying “the initiatives are also improving the landscape,” though there are concerns about profitability. (Writer: Motoaki Omori) “I’m looking forward to seeing our visitors’ smiling faces,” said Shoji Yamasaki, the 58-year-old chairman of “Yume-Hotaru Tabugawa 2016,” … Continue reading →

TOKYO, Sept. 7 – An experts’ team of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has released a report warning that outbreaks of the highly pathogenic avian influenza are more likely to occur every season in Japan in the future. This is due to bird flu outbreaks constantly seen in different parts of the world such as Europe. The team pointed out there is a “very high” possibility of the disease infecting birds within the country from this autumn through next spring, calling on farmers to take thorough disease prevention measures. Migratory birds carry the virus into Japan from Europe via Russia, and outbreaks usually occur in the country from … Continue reading →

TOKYO,Aug.27 – Many new-wave wagashi, traditional Japanese confections, are hitting the market, responding to the changing preferences and lifestyles of consumers who want to live a healthy life and have long-life wagashi. Some confectioneries introduced new ingredients to add value, for example, to win over a wide variety of consumers. Such efforts are providing a tailwind to the wagashi market, which is now back on a recovery track thanks to the stay-at-home consumption rising from the Covid-19 pandemic. (Writer: Chika Oyama) ■Traditional Dorayaki for health-conscious people Eitaro Sohonpo Co. Ltd. (Chuo Ward, Tokyo) sells a new delicious and healthy sweet, “Slow-calorie Dorayaki (260 yen per piece),” at its main shop … Continue reading →