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The Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA) of Japan proposed revisions of Japan’s maximum residue levels for four agricultural chemicals (Butachlor, Etofenprox, Spinetoram, and Prallethrin) for various agricultural commodities.

On April 1, 2025, Japan formally lifted the mandatory aflatoxin testing requirements on U.S. almonds compliant with the new almond export protocol.

This report highlights the harmonization of specific liquor taxes on alcoholic beverages that took effect on Oct.1st, 2024. U.S. exports of these products are not directly affected, but exporters should be aware of these changes.

Japan's vegetable oil and protein feed markets are mature and stable. While surging commodity prices and the shipping crisis impacted Japan's oilseed and product imports in the past, the situation has normalized.

The Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA) of the Government of Japan (GOJ) convened a meeting of the “Food Sanitation Standards Council, Newly Developed Food Investigation Committee” on February 21, 2025, to discuss the establishment of food safety standards for cell cultured foods.

In 2024, Japan's food processing sector had a 3.9 percent increase in the value of food produced, totaling $174 billion. Production increases occurred in dairy, alcoholic beverages, tea, coffee and cocoa, and health foods.

Japan will provide preferential dairy access to the European Union (EU), New Zealand and Australia through two separate free trade agreements which could enter into force as early as 2019.

On April 20, 2018, Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) invited public comments on revised Japan Agricultural Standards (JAS) for sawn lumber and Cross Laminated Timber....

The Government of Japan revised the national liquor tax law in 2017.

On April 17, 2018, Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) announced a revision to its biofuel policy that creates a market opportunity for up to 366 million liters....

High prices for Japanese table rice led to Japan’s full utilization of the simultaneous buy and sell quota (100,000 MT) in Japanese fiscal year 2017, and are expected to lead to continued....

On March 15, 2018, Japan notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) that it will apply the organic Japan Agricultural Standard (JAS) to foods that contain ingredients of animal origin....