Tag - maff

 
 

MAFF

Agriculture minister Tetsushi Sakamoto shows a mock-up of a label for vegetables grown in a sustainable way at his ministry on Friday.
JAPAN / Society
Mar 1, 2024
Japan's farm ministry launches eco-labeling initiative for sustainable farming
The labels will serve as a visual cue for environmental efforts and are aimed at enhancing consumer awareness toward fostering a sustainable food system.
An agricultural robot used in Ota, Gunma Prefecture. The agriculture ministry is currently supporting the development and testing of related technologies by companies in 217 districts across Japan.
BUSINESS / Economy
Sep 25, 2023
As farmers gray, Japan pins hopes on robots and smart agriculture
The agriculture ministry is currently supporting the development and testing of related technologies by companies in 217 districts across Japan.
Ichiro Miyashita arrives at the Prime Minister's Office on Wednesday after being named the new minister of agriculture, forestry and fisheries in a Cabinet reshuffle the same day.
BUSINESS / Economy
Sep 17, 2023
Japan aiming to diversify export markets to cut risks
New agriculture minister Ichiro Miyashita has expressed his intention to work on diversifying export destinations to reduce risks.
Japan's food self-sufficiency rate on a caloric intake basis stood at 38% in the fiscal year from April 2022, near a record low.
JAPAN
Aug 7, 2023
Japan's food self-sufficiency rate near record low in fiscal 2022
On a caloric intake basis, the figure stood at 38%, unchanged from the previous year.
A farmer plants rice seedlings using a rice transplanter in a paddy field in Kobe in June.
JAPAN
Aug 6, 2023
Japan's demand for rice falls 10 years in a row
As demand wanes, the agriculture ministry has begun urging farmers to switch to growing soybeans and wheat, as well as rice used for animal feed.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jun 4, 2023
Japan adopts concept of farming policy overhaul to boost food security
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida suggested that the government will work to increase the domestic production of wheat, soybeans and feed grains in order to reduce Japan's reliance on imports.
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 31, 2023
Japan's 2022 fish catch hit record low amid global warming
An annual white paper on fisheries said the poor catch is likely to continue in the long term due to rising sea temperatures.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Apr 19, 2023
Daiwa to start using AI chatbot spurned by Wall Street banks
Japan’s second-biggest brokerage plans to adopt the ChatGPT technology from this month for all of its 9,000 domestic employees, adding that it has 'limitless potential.”
Japan Times
JAPAN / Explainer
Mar 19, 2023
Japan on high alert as avian flu rages across the country and heads north
Amid egg shortages and soaring prices, how worried should people be about the potential impacts of bird flu on human health?
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jan 23, 2023
Russia rejects talks with Japan on fishing near disputed islands
Moscow has said it cannot currently arrange a schedule for the talks on Japanese fishing operations for Alaska pollock, octopuses, Okhotsk Atka mackerel and other seafood.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 9, 2023
Record 10 million birds culled in Japan as avian flu spreads
As of Monday, a record 56 infections had been verified across 23 of the country's 47 prefectures this season.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 28, 2022
Agriculture ministry testing star ratings for farmers that cut emissions
The production stage accounts for 60% to 80% of heat-trapping gas emissions in all phases related to agricultural produce, ranging from cultivation to processing and distribution.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 27, 2022
Bird flu sweeps through Japan, spreading at unusual pace
The number of chickens culled this season has totaled 2.89 million so far, already exceeding the previous season's total of 1.89 million.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Oct 11, 2022
Japan's farmers struggle with mass generation of stink bugs
By the end of August this year, 35 of the country's 47 prefectures had issued 'stink bug warnings' to farmers, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Aug 5, 2022
Japan farm exports in first half of 2022 hit record high
Exports in the January to June period totaled u00a5652.5 billion ($4.9 billion), supported by robust shipments to the United States as well as a weaker yen.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Jun 12, 2022
High grain prices prompt Japan farmers to grow wheat rather than rice
Twenty seven prefectures plan to expand production of wheat while 30 have said they will increase their soybean crops.
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 24, 2022
Japanese formula-makers consider exporting product to the U.S. amid shortage
The agriculture ministry has contacted five baby formula manufacturers to see if it's possible to export their products to the U.S., which is experiencing a shortage.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Feb 4, 2022
Japan 2021 farm exports hit record high for ninth year
Exports were worth u00a51.24 trillion, up 25.6% from the previous year, also getting a boost from a recovery in demand for dining out in China and the United States, according to data.
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 5, 2021
Japan aims to protect agriculture industry with ban on exporting homegrown seeds
The ban comes in response to concerns seeds and saplings of domestic varieties of plants registered in Japan have been grown and sold abroad in recent years.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 28, 2021
Pandemic puts pressure on Japan to open up rice stockpile to charities
As job losses have surged due to the impact of the spread of the novel coronavirus, demand for food handouts has skyrocketed in Japan.

Longform

Historically, kabuki was considered the entertainment of the merchant and peasant classes, a far cry from how it is regarded today.
For Japan's oldest kabuki theater, the show must go on