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The Government of Japan (GOJ) has opened the public comment period for the “amendment of positive list of synthetic resins used for food apparatus, containers, and packaging.”

Despite the challenges posed during COVID-19, Western Japan’s hotel industry has recovered to pre-pandemic levels largely due the influx of inbound travelers seeking to capitalize on the weak yen.

The Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA) of Japan proposed revisions to Japan’s maximum residue levels for seven agricultural chemicals (Benthiavalicarb-isopropyl, Hexaconazole, Isopyrazam, Metaflumizone, Broflanilide, Teflubenzuron, and Phenoxyethanol) for various agricultural commodities.

In 2019, the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) entered into force. As a result, Japan approved 16 new wine additives that were previously not allowed in wine produced or consumed in Japan.

Since 2018, Japan has implemented three large-scale free trade agreements (FTA) with major economies: the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the Japan-European Union (EU) Economic Partnership Agreement, and the U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement (USJTA).

The 2023 U.S. Agricultural Export Yearbook provides a statistical summary of U.S. agricultural commodity exports to the world during the 2023 calendar year.

The Japanese food market was valued at $564 billion in 2022 with retail sales accounting for $327 billion (58 percent) and foodservice sales accounting for $237 billion (42 percent). Japan relies on imports from other countries for the bulk of its food supply.

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.