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This report highlights Japan’s food processing industry, notable trends, and a new market snapshot of western Japan processors. The industry benefited from a slightly higher exchange rate in relation to the dollar in 2021, compared to 2020, allowing the industry to experience marginal growth by value, totaling $216.4 billion.

FAS Tokyo projects Japan’s overall demand for feed grain to remain robust in MY2021/22 and MY2022/23 as livestock production expands. FAS Tokyo anticipates corn imports to decrease in MY2021/22 and MY2022/23 as feed millers increase the ratio of low-cost rice at the expense of corn in compound feed.

The Japanese Diet is poised to allocate a combined total of 3.2 trillion yen ($27.7 billion) to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) from the Government of Japan's 2021 supplementary budget and 2022 annual budget. MAFF's budget will see increased funding for export facilitation, smart agriculture development, and implementation of MAFF's Green Food System Strategy.

Cattle stocks are projected to expand in 2022 as slaughter slowed in late 2021. In the dairy sector, cow slaughter is likely to increase in 2022 to lower excess milk production.

Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) proposed revisions to Japan’s maximum residue levels for 7 agricultural chemicals (Triflumizole, 1-Naphthaleneacetic acid, Flometoquin, Bentazone, Metominostrobin, Etoxazole and Permethrin) for various agricultural commodities.

Frozen food production that was nearly zero in 1958 has transformed into an approximately $6.6 billion market today. The growing popularity and convenience among consumers in Japan for frozen foods, continue to steadily increase, particularly since...

This report focuses on Japan’s cheese market and the potential for continued growth. In 2020, the United States exported over $162 million of cheese products to Japan, making Japan the third largest overseas market for American cheese. Cheese...

This report features e-commerce trends in Japan and the potential for growth in the market. E-commerce in Japan is an approximately $4 trillion market and Japan is the fourth-largest e-commerce market in the world.

The western half of Japan, with its main hub in Osaka, accounts for nearly 40 percent of Japan’s population and one-third of the country’s gross domestic product. Many of Japan’s largest food manufacturers and processors are headquartered in the Kansai region which includes the three major cities of Osaka, Kobe, and Kyoto.

Japan’s Consumer Affairs Agency invites public comments on its newly proposed guidelines for “additive-free” labeling. The comment period will close on January 21, 2022 (Japan Standard time).

Japan invites public comments on the newly developed Japanese Agricultural Standard (JAS) for miso (fermented soybean paste). Comments are due on January 25, 2022 (Japan standard time).

Through proactive communication with Japanese importers and FAS/Washington, FAS/Tokyo ensured that Japan adopted a maximum residue level (MRL) for fenpropathrin in nectarines in line with the U.S. fenpropathrin MRL.