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Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) proposed revisions to Japan’s maximum residue levels for 7 agricultural chemicals (Sulfoxaflor, Pyraflufen-ethyl, Benthiavalicarb-isopropyl, Polyoxorim-zinc, Polyoxin complex, Spinosad, as well as Pyrantel and Morantel) for various agricultural commodities.

Japan’s National Tax Agency (NTA) published a list of 10 proposed geographical indications (GIs) for alcoholic beverages from the United Kingdom. NTA will accept public comments on the proposal through March 22, 2022.

The Japanese food market was valued at $789 billion in 2020 with retail sales accounting for $474 billion (60 percent) and foodservice sales accounting for $239 billion (30 percent). Japan relies on imports from other countries for the bulk of its food supply.

The U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement (USJTA), which entered into force on January 1, 2020, improved market access for U.S. products through the creation of tariff-rate quotas (TRQs) for food wheat, wheat products, malt, processed cheese, whey, glucose and fructose, potato starch, corn starch, and inulin.

Japan imports approximately 500,000 metric tons of malt annually, which accounts for nearly 90 percent of total demand. While overall beer consumption is declining, malt demand is expected to rebound from a down year in 2020 and steadily grow in subsequent years, reflecting strong demand for malt in craft beer and whiskey production.

Given the small scale of urban farming in Japan, urban agricultural production is unlikely to impact U.S. agricultural priorities in Japan but may offer limited opportunities for exports of specific U.S. commodities.

This report is a complementary addition to the published 2020 Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional (HRI) food service report, and highlights the Tokyo-Yokohama metropolitan area.

On November 10, Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries confirmed a detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a commercial layer flock near Yokote City, Akita Prefecture.

Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) proposed revisions to Japan’s maximum residue levels for 9 agricultural chemicals (Uniconazole-P, Oxathiapiprolin, Cadusafos, Pyribencarb, Fenazaquin, Fluazinam, Broflanilide, Pendimethalin, and Foramsulfuron) for various agricultural commodities.

Japan invites public comments on the newly developed Japanese Agricultural Standards (JAS) for textured soy protein products. Textured Soy Protein Products include soy meat (soybean-based alternative meat products with no animal-derived ingredients)...

Japan opened the public comment for newly developed Japanese Agricultural Standards (JAS) for wood pellet fuel. Comments are due to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries by December 9, 2021.

FY2021 agricultural exports reach record levels.