Japan Focus: Impact of nuclear wastewater release, Suntory’s personalisation challenges, CHOYA Sarari’s reduced ABV and more

‘Nervous and confused’: Japan nuclear wastewater release ramps up challenges for APAC seafood sector​​

Japan’s decision to release treated wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear disaster could have far-reaching impacts for the APAC seafood sector, especially in terms of negative consumer perception and overall confusion.

Japan released the first round of treated wastewater from the 2011 nuclear disaster into the sea earlier in August this year to mixed reactions from nations everywhere, including its neighbouring countries — ranging from government support but outright consumer outrage​ in South Korea to Japanese seafood ban in China.

AgTechNavigator.com launched to provide independent and authoritative news, insights and analysis​​

William Reed has launched AgTechNavigator.com​ to provide independent and authoritative news, insights and analysis of the global agtech space, covering business-critical content on innovation, investment and regulation.

The launch follows William Reed’s acquisition of Rethink Events​, organiser of the renowned World Agri-Tech and Future Food-Tech Innovation series.  

AgTechNavigator.com will publish content daily, and send newsletters twice a week from November 7, on Tuesdays and Thursdays. To register for the free newsletters, click here​.

Is personalised nutrition truly the future? Suntory on the challenging journey to ‘full personalisation’​​

Suntory has highlighted consumer confusion and production time as some of the key challenges standing in the way of achieving “full personalisation” in the nutrition and food manufacturing sector.

The firm has been rapidly growing its health foods business, as well as made multiple investments into the personalised nutrition and supplementation space. One of these is in Rem3dy, which makes personalised 3D-printed gummy supplements.

According to Mikio Aoki, Senior General Manager of Suntory’s Future Business Development Department, other concerns included how to thoroughly understand and solve individual health issues such as allergies, and logistical challenges.

Low to go: Japan’s CHOYA Sarari reduces alcohol content and price to appeal to younger demographic​​

Japanese firm CHOYA has added two new products to its Sarari range, both of which contain lower alcohol content and are “priced affordably”, to appeal to a younger demographic.

Yuki Shimizu, Director at CHOYA, told FoodNavigator-Asia​ that one of the reasons for the lower alcohol content is to save on excise duties, and in turn, lower selling prices.

The firm hopes that the reduced alcohol content would also enhance the ease of consumption, making it an appealing option particularly for newcomers.

Promotion and formulation: Blackmores eyes China and Indonesia boost, plus NPD with Kirin’s flagship ingredients​​

Blackmores is set to ramp up advertising to boost brand awareness in China and Indonesia, while also formulating new products with Kirin’s ingredients following the Japanese giant’s acquisition of the firm.

This comes as Blackmores revealed net profit increased by 37% in FY23, but headwinds in the international markets and soaring raw material costs have pulled down its gross margin. 

Blackmores’ CEO Alastair Symington announced the results during parent company Kirin’s Health Science Day held in end September.