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This report provides an overview of Japan’s regulations and standards for foods and agricultural products. For more information on Japan's certification requirements, see the FAIRS Export Certificate Report for Japan.

On October 7, 2024, Japan's Forestry Agency proposed the list of organizations which the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries would like to designate as certifiers of information under the revised Clean Wood Act.

On September 19, 2024, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) of the Government of Japan (GOJ) announced the exemption of domestic field trial requirements for genetically engineered (GE) soybean with familiar trait.

Czechia has been an interesting market for U.S. food and agriculture high-value products, such as tree nuts, fish and seafood, beef, distilled spirits, wine, and food preparations. The country serves as an entry point for U.S. companies expanding beyond traditional markets in Western Europe to the developing markets in the East.

FAS/Tokyo estimates lower wheat and barley production in Marketing Year (MY)2024/25 from the previous year as unfavorable weather conditions and disease outbreak have reduced yields in main production regions.

The retail industry in Japan remained stable despite the continued strength of the U.S. dollar vs. the Japanese yen. To drive demand, retailers have strategically targeted the younger generation who seek easy-to-prepare, frozen, and ready-to-eat foods.

On August 27, 2024, Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (MAFF) registered geographical indication (GI) protection for Pineapple Huaymun from Thailand, which is the third Thai GI item registered in Japan.

Throughout summer 2024, Japan has been grappling with a table rice shortage resulting in empty supermarket as demand outpaced production for the last three years causing stocks to deplete to their lowest levels in over 20 years.

FAS/Tokyo forecasts cattle inventory expands in 2025 on greater cow beginning stocks and a moderate pace of slaughtering from 2024.

FAS/Tokyo projects that in 2024 as well as 2025 Japan’s annual poultry production will expand to meet strong demand for domestically produced chicken.

Japan’s fresh cherry production has been substantially impacted by a changing climate. Fresh cherry production in the 2024/25 marketing year (MY) is estimated to fall to 14,700 metric tons (MT) because of damage from high temperatures in the largest volume production region.

On March 1, 2024, the Japan Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) launched a greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction labeling system for 23 domestically-produced agricultural products.