A group of Japanese researchers have developed a nutrient profiling model (NPM) adapted to the local food culture and health policies, in the hope of establishing an official system to promote healthier product formulation and better food choices.
South Korean firm Clio has debuted its ingestible beauty brand, TRUE RX, in drugstores across Japan, underlining its expansion endeavours in this market beyond the cosmetics sector.
A new consumer survey conducted by Suntory found that fatigue, anxiety, and bad skin conditions were the most common health issues for Japanese aged 18 to 34.
Japan has earmarked the Middle East as its next major emerging market for exports with the establishment of a specialised export platform in the UAE, banking on the rising interest in Japanese food in the region.
GABA remains prominent the most popular ingredient used within Japan's Foods with Function Claims (FFC) market, rice bran-derived 3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl) propionic acid (HMPA) moving up to second place, exclusive new data reveals.
This edition of Japan Focus features Morinaga Milk’s new range of healthy ageing foods, functional food trends, Umami Cola’s koji formulation, and more.
The Hong Kong government has reiterated it will maintain strict restrictions on seafood imports from Japan, citing continued concerns over the nuclear wastewater release situation.
The Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) has expressed cautious optimism in the country’s food self-sufficiency rates, after a couple of years of stable production and import numbers.
Japanese beverage major Kirin Group has seen its launch of a new beer brand as well as investments into functional beverage innovation and overseas whiskey expansion bear fruit in the first quarter of 2024.
The Japanese government has declared that all international markets should lift ‘all restrictions and other measures’ on Japanese food exports that were previously affected by the Fukushima nuclear powerplant disaster.
Morinaga Milk Industry has launched a series of functional foods across yogurt, sachet powder, milk formula, and fermented drinks to support the nutritional needs of Japan’s rapidly ageing population.
Exclusive data on Japan's functional foods sector has highlighted a growing demand for 'femcare', signalling growth potential in areas such as premenstrual dysphoric disorder and vaginal health.
New data from Japan’s most recent consumer diet and lifestyle survey has revealed that product affordability and local origins are the most important drivers for Japanese consumers when it comes to making food purchases.
Japanese adults in their 20s and 30s are most interested in personalised nutrition as compared to the other age groups, a survey conducted by Suntory-backed start-up Rem3dy Health has found.
This edition of Japan Focus features ITO EN green tea, risk of cross contamination between GM and non-GM crops, Kirin’s electric spoon for reducing salt intake, and more.
The designer of Suntory’s internationally successful BOSS RTD coffee brand has revealed how empathy and metaphorical references have been crucial to the long-lasting and widespread growth of the 32 year-old brand across the world.
Japan beverage giant Asahi has seen significant growth in its RTD alcoholic beverages category as well as the South East Asian market as major contributors to profitability over the past six months, despite negative impacts from Oceania sales.
Japanese tea company ITO EN is gearing up to set foot into the Indian market for the first time with its flagship ready-to-drink green tea brand Oi Ocha.
The Japanese government has released new data highlighting the safety of genetically modified crops to placate public concerns that accidental spillages were affecting biodiversity.
Swiss-based Origen X, which acquired the world’s oldest vodka brand, hopes a focus on heritage and authenticity will lead to success in key Asian markets.
This edition of Japan Focus looks at the benefits of fermented food intake during pregnancy, Suntory’s new mist supplement, traffic light food labelling, and more.
Manufacturers of Foods with Function Claims (FFC) are legally bound to four newly added requirements from September 1 – the latest move in regulating Japan’s functional foods industry since Kobayashi Pharmaceutical’s red yeast rice scandal broke out.
Austrian ketchup brand Curtice Brothers says a focus on natural ingredients, heritage and sustainability is helping it compete with local and international condiment giants in Asia, with the firm seeing success in China, Singapore and Japan.
Kirin has released a spoon that uses electricity to intensify the umami taste of food to address the issue of excessive salt intake among the Japanese population.
In this edition of Japan Focus, we look at new food distribution guidelines, promoting plant-based diets and healthy eating, a new government-launched public-private food exports project, and the safety of end-product packaging.
