Japan News Update #42 (5-12 Dec, 2022)

Alcohol news in Japan

A research team at the Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute takes the lead in developing the technology for the world's first consumable alcoholic drink manufactured by directly fermenting and distilling wood. The key will be if the new wood-based alcohol can benefit what the government refers to as "regional revitalization,"  a set of initiatives geared at revitalizing Japan's depopulated rural economy.

Source: Wood spirits: How Japan made the world’s first liquor from trees

Heineken will end a three-decade-long partnership with Japan's Kirin Brewery, opting to go alone in Japanese consumer sales beginning next year. In April, Heineken will transform the joint venture, Heineken Kirin, into a wholly owned subsidiary, Heineken Japan. Kirin intends to restructure its relationship with Heineken and focus on increasing craft beer sales.

Source: Heineken joint beer venture with Kirin fizzles out

Japan’s trades: US-Japan’s beef safeguard and Japanese carp export

The Japanese government accepted the Protocol Amending the Trade Agreement Between Japan and the US concerning the beef safeguard system under the US-Japan Trade Agreement (USJTA). The modified USJTA will go into effect on 1 January 2023. A new three-trigger safeguard system will allow US exporters to fulfil Japan's expanding demand for high-quality beef while reducing the probability that Japan will impose higher tariffs.

Source: New safeguard for US beef to start on 1 January; USTR’s press release

The Japanese government intends to encourage the export of ornamental Nishikigoi carp to meet its goal of increasing overseas shipments of agricultural products. According to the draft plan, the government would add Nishikigoi carp to 30 essential export goods such as beef, rice, and fruits. In addition, the plan calls on the government to increase its assistance for ornamental carp producers and production areas, citing the fish's high international value.

Source: Japan to promote exports of nishikigoi carp

AI farming to meet domestic needs

BASF, a German chemical company, has acquired a foothold in Japan's rice heartland with a technology that employs artificial intelligence to assist competent farmers in compensating for workforce shortages. BASF began marketing the Xarvio Field Manager system in April 2021 and has implemented it across 33,000 hectares, or about 0.8% of Japan's entire farmland, primarily for rice paddies. The transition to smart farming occurs as the average age of Japanese farmers approaches 68.

Source: AI farming tool from BASF finds fertile ground in Japan's rice country

Development in alternative proteins and veganism

The Japan Association for Cellular Agriculture has called for laws to govern the production and sale of cultured meat to preserve branded livestock as intellectual property. According to the organization, any items containing cultured meat should be prominently labelled. It states that safety requirements should be based on regenerative medicine and pharmaceutical product norms, as well as current food safety legislation.

Source: Researchers call for cultured meat rules in Japan

In collaboration with cricket product producer Gryllus Inc., a local company, Komatsushimanishi school in Tokushima prefecture provided cuisine containing powdered crickets. For students interested in becoming chefs, the school offers a food department. The concept for the school lunches sprang from students' summer schoolwork.

Source: Japan high school serves up edible crickets in meals

More and more vegan alternatives are available in Japan, even the Tonkotsu (pork bone) ramen of Ippudo and cheesecakes of Upbeet! Tokyo. Behind the trend is a growing health awareness among people who want to avoid high-fat foods and enjoy them relaxed, and advances in plant-based food technology.

Source: Veganism on the rise among health-conscious in Japan

Japanese sustainable way to utilize food waste

Despite throwing out around 90 pounds of food per person each year, Japan is not at the top of the world's waste list. Nonetheless, with limited landfill space, what is dumped poses a severe concern. Takachiho Amaterasu Railway Co., Fabula, and NOD take vegetable peels, cooking oil, eggshells, and other wasted foodstuffs and turn them into new goods such as biodiesel fuel, cement, and even furniture.

Source: Fuel made from ramen, dishes from coffee grounds: Japan rethinks food waste