Browse Data and Analysis

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) proposed default greenhouse gas (GHG) emission values for biomass feedstock eligible for the feed-in tariff and feed-in premium (FIT/FIP) programs for power generation.

Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) proposed 15 new geographical indications (GIs) for EU food products, including cheese, sausage, olive oil, vinegar, fruits and garlic. MAFF will accept public comments on the proposal through April 12, 2023.

Eleven of Japan’s top 25 food and beverage retailers are headquartered in western Japan. These regional retailers have deep community roots and are known for tailoring their product offerings to meet local preferences. This report describes the...

The volume of U.S. fresh, dried, and processed fruit exports between 2012/13 and 2021/22 dropped 29 percent to 2.9 million metric tons[1]. However, a 25-percent gain in unit value during this period softened the decrease in value to just 11 percent lower as trade dropped $700 million to $6.0 billion.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) has proposed geographical indication (GI) protection for Tokachi Raclette cheese from Hokkaido Prefecture. MAFF will accept comments on the proposal until March 27, 2023. If approved, Tokachi Raclette cheese will become the first domestic dairy product in Japan’s GI system.

Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) proposed an update to Japan’s biofuel standards from Japan’s fiscal year 2023 through 2027. METI will accept public comments in Japanese on the proposal until 5 PM on January 17, 2023, Japan time. Based on received public comments, METI will revise the contents in the proposed biofuel standards and open a second and final public comment period within a few weeks.

Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) proposed revisions to Japan’s maximum residue levels for 5 agricultural chemicals (Acequinocyl, Isofetamid, Methoxyfenozide, Pyriproxyfen, and Mosapride) for various agricultural commodities.

Japan will require importers of U.S. products containing mackerel, Pacific saury, sardine, squid and cuttlefish to submit a newly approved Catch Certificate issued by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The requirement extends to all seafood originating from these species if the marine product is harvested after November 30, 2022.

This report provides the latest status of consumption, regulation, public perception, research, development, production, and use of agricultural biotechnology in Japan. Japan uses a science-based process for evaluating and granting approval for import and production of genetically engineered products.

Japan confronted its second year of the COVID-19 pandemic with continued disruptions to the Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional food service industry. In 2021, total sales from the hotel, restaurant, and institutional food service industry totaled $231 billion (JP¥24,621 billion), a decrease of nearly four percent from 2020.

Japan’s Ministry of the Environment opened public comment period on proposed revisions of the Basic Policy of the Green Procurement Act. One proposed change includes greater emphasis in government procurement decisions on the greenhouse gas emission value of goods and services. Comments must be submitted in Japanese by December 6, 2022.

On March 30, 2022, Japan’s Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA) released guidelines, which provides examples of an improper use of “No Food Additive Used”. The present report contains a provisional translation of the guidelines.