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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 6 agricultural chemicals (Bifenthrin, Flutolanil, Inpyrfluxam, Picarbutrazox, Pyribencarb, Sethoxydim) for various agricultural commodities.

In Japan Fiscal Year 2022, Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) awarded 677,714 metric tons of rice through the Minimum Access import system.

On April 21, Japan's National Tax Agency opened a public comment period for the Guidelines for Handling Alcoholic Beverages with Organisms Developed with Genome Editing Technology. The public comment period will close on May 25, 2023.

On April 3, Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries announced tariff-rate quota (TRQ) volumes for dairy products during Japanese Fiscal Year 2023 (April to March).

Japan announced low tariff-rate quotas for butter (8,000 MT) and non-fat dried milk (750 MT) in Japanese fiscal year 2023.