Japan News Update #26 (12 - 25 Apr, 2022)
Stay updated on the latest agricultural news in Japan, that we publish every two weeks.
by Yuki Sano
Sustainable agriculture initiatives in Japan
An opening ceremony for Japan's pavilion at the Floriade Expo 2022 in the Netherlands has been held. The pavilion showcases traditional and sustainable Japanese lifestyles in harmony with the “satoyama” concept. Through the pavilion, Japan will also promote the World Horticultural Exhibition Yokohama, held in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, in 2027.
Source: Japan's Satoyama-Themed Pavilion Opens at Dutch Garden Expo
In the Kansai region, in western Japan, circular agriculture, which utilizes heat generated by renewable energy to generate power for agriculture, has spread amid soaring oil prices due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Farmers strive to combine agriculture and livestock farming with biogas power generation, which use livestock feces and food scraps and solar power generation. In FY19, energy consumption in agriculture, forestry, and fisheries in the Kansai region decreased from 10 years ago in all five prefectures except Osaka. With the highest reduction rate, Hyogo Prefecture has cut more than 40%, and Wakayama Prefecture has reduced its agricultural power consumption to less than two-thirds of what it used be.
Source: Cost reduction through circular agriculture
F-Bit Communications (Kyoto, Japan), a new electric power company, has completed a biomass power plant attached to a next-generation greenhouse in Motoyama-Cho, Kochi Prefecture. The heat, electricity, and carbon dioxide generated by the power plant will be used for greenhouse cultivation. The company plans to hydroponically cultivate paprika, which is mainly imported, on approximately 1 hectare and harvest 240 tons per year. With the company's participation, Kochi Prefecture's paprika production is expected to rise from 16th to 6th in the nation.
Source: Greenhouse farming with biomass power generation
Japanese branches of Domino's Pizza launch pizza featuring local specialties to promote local ingredients and food manufacturers. The campaign is called "Sanchoku," meaning direct from the farm or farm-fresh. A portion of the profits of each pizza sold will be donated to the Sanchoku Domino's Fund to support farmers and other produce workers.
Source: Domino’s Pizza launches ‘Sanchoku Pizza’ series spotlighting local farm-fresh ingredients
Agri-tech in Japan
Japan's Kawasaki Heavy Industries has opened a restaurant with robotic staff. The operation will provide the company with data to improve robot development to reduce labor shortages. Only payments and garbage are handled by human staff.
Source: Experimental restaurant staffed by robots opens in Tokyo
Kirin, a Japanese food manufacturer, and Meiji University researchers have developed chopsticks that artificially create the taste of salt as part of efforts to reduce sodium levels in the typical Japanese diet. The chopsticks artificially amplify the taste of salt by applying a weak electric current. The researchers said the team hopes to improve the prototype and make it available to consumers next year.
Source: Saline solution: Japan invents ‘electric’ chopsticks that make food seem more salty
Kagome, a Japanese manufacturer of tomato-based foods, and NEC, a Japanese information technology and electronics company, have developed a field disease prediction system using AI. The AI analyzes the temperature and humidity in each field and warns farmers of the risk of disease outbreaks up to three days in advance. They will expand the system to support farmers' in the face of increasing weather changes in various parts of the world. In addition, they will add this system into "CropScorp," a farm management support service for tomato growers.
Source: Kagome & NEC develop filed disease prediction system
PM Kishida calls for strengthening food self-sufficiency
PM Kishida emphasized the enhancement of food self-sufficiency given the situation in Ukraine at a round-table meeting with local businesspeople in Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture. The housing industry faces difficulties due to a shortage of Russian lumber. The PM also made an appeal to reevaluate life-supporting sectors, such as forestry and fishing.
Source: Need to increase food self-sufficiency, in response to the situation in Ukraine
The weakening yen
Japan's currency hits a fresh 20-year low against the U.S. dollar, and is now in the mid-126 range. A sharp depreciation of the yen can cause problems for Japan's economy, Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki said. Suzuki's remarks reflect concern that a weaker yen amplifies a rise in import prices triggered by the recent commodity rally. Prices rose for 526 of the 744 items tracked, with higher packaging and transportation costs leading to price increases for products closer to consumers, such as food.
Source: Sinking yen can be 'bad' for Japan, finance chief says in rare remark
The developments of a premium supermarket
Japanese high-end supermarket operator Seijo Ishii will list shares on the new Prime Market of the Tokyo Stock Exchange by 2023. Seijo Ishii is part of Lawson, a convenience store franchise chain in Japan. The company looks to earmark more funds for marketing, acquisitions, and shareholder returns.
Source: Japan high-end supermarket operator Seijo Ishii to go public