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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.

In October 2024, the Government of Japan (GOJ) added a genome edited potato to the list of genome edited products not subject to regulations for genetically engineered food and feed.

The Ministry of Agriculture has taken unprecedented steps to alleviate the soaring rice prices that have plagued Japan since the summer 2024 rice shortage.

The Government of Japan (GOJ) through its Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA), has opened the public comment period for revisions it is proposing to the specifications for sterilized or sterile filtered mineral water to include specifications for perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA).

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) has taken extraordinary steps to alleviate high rice prices that have continued to increase since the domestic rice shortage in summer 2024.

In 2025, beginning inventories and beef production declined due to the increased pace of slaughter in 2024. Beef consumption remains weak due to inflation, with a shift toward less expensive proteins such as pork.

Japan’s Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA) intends to mandate allergy labeling on cashew nuts from the current recommended status. The CAA also intends to add pistachios to the recommended allergy labeling category.