Japan News Update #22 (15-28 Feb, 2022)
Stay updated on the latest agricultural news in Japan, that we publish every two weeks.
by Yuki Sano
Cutting-edge plant technology
The Institute of Physical and Chemical Research (RIKEN) announced one of its research groups detected a new genetic regulator which controls root elongation in response to environmental changes. This evidence is expected to contribute to improvements in breeding and in the productivity of root crop varieties for plant factories and urban agriculture.
Source: Detect gene regulatory useful for urban agriculture (日本語)
The University of Tokyo and the National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO) have succeeded in a quantitative AI-based assessment of plant breeders' senses. The research group developed machine learning, an AI technique, to detect citrus peelability and fruit firmness, which previously relied on breeders' senses.
Source: AI of Plant breeder’s sensibility (日本語)
Medicago Inc., a Canadian subsidiary of Japan's Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corp., applied last December for approval of the world's first plant-based COVID-19 vaccine. The company aims to start supply within fiscal 2022 in Canada. The vaccine completed its final stage of clinical trials in six countries last year, with 71% efficacy confirmed.
Source: Japanese pharma subsidiary's plant-based COVID vaccine on cusp of mass production
Japan’s governmental activity for pandemic and sustainability
Japanese local authorities have started to provide services for coronary patients, such as luxury lunch boxes and recuperative facilities for families. For instance, local governments of Kashiwa City in Chiba Prefecture, Tokyo, and Nagano Prefecture offer popular lunchboxes amid the sixth wave of the coronavirus.
Source: Japan local govts taking forward-thinking approach to COVID-19-related services
The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (MAFF) made a cabinet decision on the bill related to the Strategy for Sustainable Food Systems. The bill will provide public recognition for producers and businesses in the agricultural and food industries committed to environmental conservation. In addition, the legislation will make it easier to obtain tax benefits, such as tax reductions for introducing environmentally-friendly facilities, and easier access to public finance.
Source: Tax reduction for environmental friendly farmers
Company initiatives on plastic waste and shrimp farming
Japan's Coca-Cola has introduced a bottle-less vending machine as part of the parent company's efforts to reduce plastic waste. Instead, the consumer fills a container brought by themselves. In Japan, soft drink bottles account for 6% of plastic waste. Coffee chains Starbucks and Tully's also sell drinks in tumblers brought by the customer and offer discounts.
Source: BYOB: Coca-Cola's bottleless vending machines debut in Japan
The Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS) announced the establishment of ShrimpTech JIRCAS, Inc., as JIRCAS’s first institute-related startup. The company will actively use its existing patents and research results to provide consulting services related to land-based shrimp aquaculture technology.
Source: First shrimp cultivation startup, Press Release by JIRCAS