Japan News Update #10 (4-17 May, 2021)

New policy “Green Food System Strategy"

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) has formally decided on the "Green Food System Strategy". Through the initiative, MAFF aims to reduce the environmental impact of agriculture and strengthen production with a 2050 timeline. This strategy is following the formulation of the EU's The Farm to Fork Strategy.

Source: MAFF Formalizes New Policy "Green Food System Strategy”

MAFF has announced its mid-term goals for decarbonizing the agriculture, forestry and fisheries sectors. The plan includes the electrification of agricultural machinery and fishing boats and the development of technology to introduce solar power generation in the greenhouse.

Source: MAFF releases targets for agricultural decarbonization

MAFF has revealed a timetable for the development of agricultural machinery and other products to decarbonize agriculture. Although electric farm machinery has not yet been put to practical use, MAFF will support the development of small farm machinery through subsidies, taxation and funds by FY2024. MAFF is hurrying to implement measures because the government raised its target for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in FY2030 to 46% less than the FY2014 level.

Source: MAFF announces that agricultural machinery will be electrified in FY2024

Potato trade and domestic price

Since the Japan-U.S. trade agreement eliminated tariffs on frozen French fries in April, exports of U.S. frozen French fries to Japan are expected to grow. On the other hand, "eliminating tariffs on frozen French fries has also been implemented under the TPP and the EPA. Canada, New Zealand and the Netherlands will also export to Japan without tariffs in the future so that competition will be fierce," the Washington State Potato Commission(WSPC) said.

Source: Exports of U.S. Frozen French Fries to Japan will Increase

The wholesale price of potatoes was more than 70% higher than average, the highest since 1977 when prices were comparable. Retail price is also 30% higher than the previous year. Increased household consumption and unstable weather in Japan's production areas are the factors behind the potato price increase.

Source: Potatoes reach the highest level, more than 70% above normal

Startups and New technology for sustainability

On-the-slope, which sells vegetables from producers engaged in environmentally friendly farming with new farmers as its main partners, has announced a total of 830 million yen (6.3 million euro) in funding. On-the-slope's primary business is the regular delivery of vegetable sets through EC sales.

Source: Organic Agro Distribution Startup Raises 830 Million Yen

JR East will soon sell fresh lettuce grown inside the station, borrowed an idea from a German startup, Infarm. Other Japanese startups, Spread Co., Ltd. and Farmship, Inc., are also working on indoor farming. However, factory-grown vegetables are still more expensive than conventionally grown vegetables, and companies face the need to close the gap.

Source: Train station lettuce: Japan railroad grows veggies indoors

Preferred Networks, Inc. (PFN) and NISSIN FOOD PRODUCTS Co., Ltd. announced that they would conduct a demonstration experiment on a "model for analyzing food and health status" on molecular nutrition. They aim to evolve a complete nutrition diet with the latest food processing technology.

Source: PFN and Nissin aim to evolve a complete nutrition diet

With algae as nourishment, we can produce cultured meat from animal cells. Prof. Tatsuya Shimizu and his colleagues at Tokyo Women's Medical University work on research to make cultured meat cheap and with minimal waste. They are planning to produce cultured meat by using the tissue engineering technology developed through regenerative medicine research, which creates tissue from cells.

Source: Algae makes cultured meat cheaper, uses tissue engineering

Pandemic impact on the restaurant sector in Japan

Japanese izakaya (Japanese-style pubs) saw their most recent revenue decline due to the need to shorten alcohol serving hours and closing times to combat viruses. On the other hand, demand for take-out and food delivery boosted fast-food chains, resulting in a year-on-year increase in sales.

Source: Japanese-style pubs report losses but sales at fast-food chains soar

Plant Variety Protection and Seed Act

Japan has recently banned taking or sending seeds or seedlings of domestically developed crops out of the country to protect producers from the effects of unauthorized cultivation abroad. However, it remains challenging to eradicate the export to third countries of products made from seeds and seedlings already taken out of Japan, MAFF said.

Source: Japan aims to protect agriculture industry with ban on exporting homegrown seeds

For previous agricultural news updates, click here.