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Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) proposed revisions to Japan’s maximum residue levels for 7 agricultural chemicals (Sulfoxaflor, Pyraflufen-ethyl, Benthiavalicarb-isopropyl, Polyoxorim-zinc, Polyoxin complex, Spinosad, as well as Pyrantel and Morantel) for various agricultural commodities.

Japan’s National Tax Agency (NTA) published a list of 10 proposed geographical indications (GIs) for alcoholic beverages from the United Kingdom. NTA will accept public comments on the proposal through March 22, 2022.

The Japanese food market was valued at $789 billion in 2020 with retail sales accounting for $474 billion (60 percent) and foodservice sales accounting for $239 billion (30 percent). Japan relies on imports from other countries for the bulk of its food supply.

Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) opened a public comment period for 28 proposed geographical indications (GIs) for food products from the United Kingdom.

The U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement (USJTA), which entered into force on January 1, 2020, improved market access for U.S. products through the creation of tariff-rate quotas (TRQs) for food wheat, wheat products, malt, processed cheese, whey, glucose and fructose, potato starch, corn starch, and inulin.

Japan imports approximately 500,000 metric tons of malt annually, which accounts for nearly 90 percent of total demand. While overall beer consumption is declining, malt demand is expected to rebound from a down year in 2020 and steadily grow in subsequent years, reflecting strong demand for malt in craft beer and whiskey production.

Japan’s mandarin production continues to decline amidst labor shortages and reduced consumption. Shipping challenges and rising prices are projected to reduce the consumption of largely imported oranges and grapefruit.

FAS/Tokyo expects Japan’s imports of bioethanol to stay steady in line with Japan’s long-standing annual target for on-road biofuel of 500 million liters crude oil equivalent which is entirely fulfilled by bioETBE.

Japan remains the largest export market for U.S. grapefruit, which are forecast to increase 15 percent to 30,000 metric tons (MT) in market year (MY) 2018/19 due to reports of improved....

On November 29, 2018, Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) announced revisions to Japan’s Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) for the following agricultural chemicals, veterinary drugs....

On September 10, 2018, Japan notified the World Trade Organization of draft amendments to the maximum residue levels (MRL) for the veterinary drug Betamethasone via G/SPS/N/JPN/600.

On September 10, 2018, Japan notified the World Trade Organization of draft amendments to the maximum residue levels (MRL) for the pesticide/veterinary drug Etoxazole via G/SPS/N/JPN/599.