Japan News Update #62 (July 2024)

New technologies in food manufacture and livestock medical industries

Japanese potato chip giant Calbee is partnering with Pegasus Tech Ventures to integrate AI into snack-making. The company will focus on US food tech startups to develop healthier snacks, improve production efficiency, and create new business models. AI will optimize production, simulate product testing, and analyze consumer preferences to customize chip characteristics for different markets, aiming to expedite product development and market entry.
Source: Japan snack giant Calbee looks to bring AI to potato chips

SB Technology Corp., a unit of the SoftBank Group, a Japanese multinational investment holding company, launched "Animal Look," a remote examination service for livestock using smartphones. Initially available at 77 Hokkaido clinics, the service supports farmers facing veterinarian shortages. It includes video calls, reservation management, and cloud-stored medical records. Farmers can use LINE, Japan's largest message app, to check clinic availability and make reservations, enhancing veterinary care accessibility.
Source: SoftBank unit kicks off remote medical examination service for livestock amid shortage of veterinarians

Japanese purchasers’ reaction to soaring US beef prices

Rising U.S. beef import prices, driven by the yen's depreciation, reduced US supply, and competition from South Korea and Mexico, are challenging Japanese traders and restaurants. US beef, which makes up 40% of Japan's beef imports, has seen a 60% price hike. Japan seeks cheaper alternatives from Australia, Canada, and South America, but securing affordable beef remains difficult.
Source: Soaring prices make US beef procurement hard in Japan

Japan's Food Policy Trends

Japan's health ministry is developing guidelines to allow customers to take home leftovers safely, aiming to reduce food waste and prevent food poisoning. These guidelines, set for next fiscal year, will advise avoiding raw food such as sashimi and emphasize hygienic practices. Both restaurants and consumers will share responsibility for safety, with awareness spread through free precaution kits. Additionally, Japan faces heightened pressure to reduce household food waste due to its high food import rates. Researchers in Tokyo are testing simple organizational techniques, like using tape and stickers, to help clear cluttered fridges and reduce food waste at home.
Source: Japan health ministry to set guidelines on taking home leftovers to cut food waste; The simple Japanese method for a tidier and less wasteful fridge

Agriculture Minister Tetsushi Sakamoto and European Commissioner for Agriculture Janusz Wojciechowski met in Brussels to prepare for the upcoming G7 Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting in Italy. They agreed to enhance sustainable agricultural productivity growth in an environmentally friendly manner and to ensure a stable food supply.
Source: Japan, EU Agree to Strengthen Food Security; Work Together for G7 Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting in Septembers