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Caribbean Basin > Aruba + Barbados + Cayman Islands + Curacao + Dominca + Grenada + Guyana + Saint Kitts and Nevis + Saint Vincent and the Grenadines + Saint Lucia + Trinidad and Tobago

This report provides the latest status of consumption, regulation, public perception, research, development, production, government policy, and use of agricultural biotechnology in Japan. In general, Japan uses a science-based process for evaluating and granting approval for import and production of genetically engineered products.

In 2024, Japanese oil refineries have continued supplying ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE), which is made from approximately 824 million liters of bioethanol and reflects the annual target volume set by the Government of Japan (GOJ).

FAS/Tokyo projects that Japan's fluid milk production will decline in 2025, primarily due to a decrease in the milking cow population anticipated from 2024.

This report lists major export certificates required by the Japanese government to export food and agricultural products from the United States to Japan.

The Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA) of Japan proposed two sets of revisions. One is for Japan’s maximum residue levels for seven agricultural chemicals (Acrinathrin, Dazomet, Metam and Methyl isothiocyanate, Flutianil, Fosthiazate, Inpyrfluxam, Spirotetramat, Sulfoxaflor, and Dibutylhydroxytoluene) for various agricultural commodities.

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.

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.