Japan News Update #53 (September 2023)

Unseasonably hot weather across Japan

Japan faced record-breaking heat in the summer of 2023, damaging summer vegetables and causing delays in planting autumn and winter crops. Despite being nearly self-sufficient in fresh vegetable production, Japan might resort to imports due to potential supply shortages. The period from June to August experienced a 1.76°C increase in average temperature compared to the 1991-2020 average, marking the highest temperature rise on record.
Source: Heatwaves impacting summer and autumn vegetable yields across Japan; Tokyo marks most number of 'hot' days,

 International Dialogue related to the Japanese food and agricultural sector

Japan has released the outcome document of the Dialogue on the Food Security Crisis between Food Exporting and Importing Countries. The "Key Principles of Action on Food Security Crises for Exporters and Importers" were unveiled during the 78th United Nations General Assembly high-level side event co-hosted by Japan, Italy, UAE, and the FAO. These principles aim to prevent worsening food security and ensure consistent, affordable access to safe, nutritious food and agricultural products.
Source: Publishment of "The Key Principles of Action on Food Security Crises for Exporters and Importers"

The G20 New Delhi Summit focused on vital global challenges such as food security, climate change, development, health, and digitalization. Prime Minister Kishida emphasized concrete action plans, citing initiatives like the Agricultural Market Information System (AMIS) and India's research project MAHARISHI. He stressed the importance of data gathering and pledged a commitment to creating sustainable agricultural and food systems.

Source: G20 New Delhi Summit（Summary）

 Future impact of the U.S. potato industry on the Japanese market

The U.S. potato industry is intensifying efforts to gain access to the Japanese market for all types of fresh potatoes, including table stock potatoes. Plant health officials from the U.S. and Japan will meet in late September to discuss this matter. Although the U.S. has had access to the market for fresh chipping potatoes since 2006, expanding access could boost U.S. fresh potato exports significantly, potentially increasing global exports by 10% to 15%, with an estimated worth of $150 million to $200 million annually, according to the National Potato Council.
Source: U.S. potato industry seeking fresh access to Japan

Food-tech movements in Japan

Japanese engineering firm Hitachi Zosen plans to sell synthetic protein to artificial meat producers from 2025, reducing production costs by 90%. The protein, developed by startup NUProtein, combines mRNA from animal DNA with wheat germ. Hitachi Zosen will commercialize this method and aims to supply artificial meat makers in Singapore by April 2025, with plans to expand to the U.S. and Japan later.
Source: Japanese company slashes lab-grown meat protein cost by 90%

Japanese researchers Miyashita Homei and Nakamura Hiromi won an Ig Nobel Prize for their study on how electrified chopsticks and straws alter food taste. This marked the 17th consecutive year that Japanese researchers received this parody of the Nobel Prize. After experimenting with electrified chopsticks and straws, they developed spoons that enhanced perceived saltiness. While low-sodium food is healthy, it may lack flavor, prompting the researchers to explore enhancing saltiness using their technology.
Source: Japan team wins Ig Nobel for research on how electricity changes taste of food