Japan News Update #49 (April 2023)
Stay updated on the latest agricultural news in Japan, that we publish every month.
by Yuki Sano
Japan's Path to Sustainable Food Security
To ensure Japan's food security, a Ministry panel is reviewing food and farming laws and considering the creation of a task force led by the prime minister to direct farmers to switch to food crops during a Taiwan crisis that could disrupt food shipments following the vulnerability of global wheat and fertilizer supplies due to Russia's incursion into Ukraine.
Source: Japan to weigh food security law in face of Ukraine, Taiwan risks
Kobe City, one of Japan's largest cities and the capital of Hyogo Prefecture, aims to increase the production of recycled sewage sludge to recover phosphorus, which is heavily reliant on imports. Since 2015, the city has been using recycled phosphorus as a fertilizer ingredient, making it the first city in Japan to do so. Kobe City plans to construct two new production sites, which it estimates will replace half of its current source of phosphorus.
Source: Fertilizer phosphorus from sewage sludge to half self-sufficiency
New Innovations with AI from the Agriculture Ministry to restaurants
The Agriculture Ministry is contemplating the utilization of ChatGPT, a conversational AI model created by OpenAI, for various tasks, including updating and revising manuals for online services. In addition, the ministry plans to employ ChatGPT via Microsoft Corp.'s cloud services to address security concerns.
Source: ChatGPT Use Sought by Japan’s Agriculture Ministry
A Japanese startup, New Innovations, plans to introduce AI-powered cooking robots for restaurants this year. With a $20 million investment from backers, the company aims to start mass production and supply the robots to 100,000 locations in three years. In addition, the robots will be integrated with a cloud system to enable the quick and easy release of new menus across all branches.
Source: Japanese startup to roll out cooking robots for restaurants this year
Boosting natural predators through Wolbachia pipientis control
The National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO) has achieved a world first by successfully determining the sex of Wolbachia pipientis in a test tube. Wolbachia pipientis is a type of bacterium that infects insects. By controlling these symbiotic microorganisms, it may be possible to boost the number of natural predators that prey on pests and reduce the need for pesticides. The aim is to implement this approach by 2050.
Source: NARO is developing a Wolbachia pipientis research toward pest control; NARO Press Release