Tag Archives: News

【News】 Research institute develops technology to turn rice into gel-type substitute of wheat flour (Oct. 23, 2013)

  In an effort to increase consumption of rice, a research institute based in Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture, developed a technology to create a gel-like material from rice which can be used as a substitute for wheat flour, the institute announced Tuesday, October 22. National Agriculture and Food Research Organization’s National Food Research Institute said it used high amylose rice with high starch content, such as Momiroman, a variety used mainly to produce rice flour or as feed for livestock. It created rice gel by heating rice until it becomes gruel-like, and mixing it at high speed. The rice gel can be used as a substitute for wheat flour to produce … Continue reading

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【News】 LDP will not disclose results of its examination on eliminating tariffs on key agricultural products, official says (Oct. 23, 2013)

  Koya Nishikawa, head of the Liberal Democratic Party’s panel on the Trans-Pacific Partnership free-trade talks, said Monday, October 21, that the party does not plan to announce the results of examining effects of cutting tariffs until the talks are concluded. In a BS Fuji television program, Nishikawa said the party does not want to show Japan’s hands to the United States, as the TPP negotiations are expected to speed up towards the goal of striking a deal in the end of this year. But it is highly likely that farmers will be concerned over the confidentiality of the process all the more. Nishikawa said he will report the results … Continue reading

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【News】 Communal agricultural corporations in Hiroshima join hands to strengthen development and marketing of processed food (Oct. 22, 2013)

  Communal agricultural corporations in Miyoshi, Hiroshima Prefecture, are stepping up cooperation to learn ways to add value to their agricultural products. Out of 27 agricultural corporations which form a group to share management know-how and agricultural machinery, four corporations jointly established a food processing network to share problems and solutions, and plan training programs and field trips. Member corporations of the network have increased to eight. Toshiko Kodama, 75, a member of the network and an official in charge of processing business at agricultural producers’ cooperative corporation Nahirodani, said it is difficult for one corporation to invite experts or arrange tours, adding that joint efforts enable them to learn … Continue reading

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【News】 Pre-sowing bids of Japanese-grown wheat for 2014 harvest year remain at 60 percent of total supply due to low demand (Oct. 18, 2013)

  Out of the total supply of 122,270 tons of domestically-grown wheat to be cultivated in the 2014 harvest year, only 74,370 tons were purchased in the first bidding, National Rice Wheat and Barley Improvement Association announced Wednesday, October 16. The ratio of purchase orders to the amount of supply was as low as 0.8, and the ratio of successful bids was 60.8 percent, lower than the previous year, as many buyers, such as flour milling firms, have excessive inventories and were cautious in placing bids. The next bidding will be held on Tuesday, October 29. A total of 28 varieties, one brand less than the previous year, were offered … Continue reading

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【News】 Wide gaps between Japanese and U.S. farming industries revealed (Oct. 17, 2013)

  Representatives of the Japanese farming industry told their American counterparts in Washington on Tuesday, October 15, that they believe the Japanese government will protect key agricultural products from tariff elimination, while the farmers’ groups in the United States called for tariff cuts without exception under the Trans-Pacific Partnership free-trade talks. The delegation of the Japan Agricultural Co-operatives (JA) group, led by Akira Banzai, head of the Central Union of Agricultural Co-operatives (JA-Zenchu), met with leaders of the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), National Farmers Union representing family farms and the National Corn Growers Association. In a meeting with NPPC Vice President Nick Giordano, Banzai said he is convinced that … Continue reading

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