Japan

Japanese firm seeks EU probiotic approval

Japanese firm seeks EU probiotic approval

By Jane Joseph

The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) is calling for views on an application from Japan’s Miyarisan Pharmaceutical for European Union Novel Foods status for a probiotic strain.

PS supplements show ADHD benefits in children: RCT data

PS supplements show ADHD benefits in children: RCT data

By Stephen DANIELLS

Children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may benefit from daily supplements of phosphatidylserine (PS), according to a new study from an international team of researchers.

Japan’s ethoxyquin regulation change starting to hit shrimp exporters

Japan’s ethoxyquin regulation change starting to hit shrimp exporters

By RJ Whitehead

Last year, FoodNavigator-Asia reported that new Japanese regulations governing “acceptable” levels of the antioxidant ethoxyquin in fishmeal was destined to become a grave issue for shrimp exporters. Exactly six months later, the effects of this policy...

Guests dine on landmark research at new gourmet restaurant

Kinki tuna

Guests dine on landmark research at new gourmet restaurant

By RJ Whitehead

Western Japan's Kinki University will soon open a restaurant in downtown Osaka specialising in blue-fin tuna and other types of fish that have been artificially raised from eggs at its aquaculture facilities.

World looks to China for clues about global pork strength

Analysis

World looks to China for clues about global pork strength

By RJ Whitehead

China will be a key indicator of the state of the global pork market in 2013 after the world, according to Rabobank. Nevertheless, China’s pork producers will still face a challenging year in 2013.

Japanese majors step up focus on Thai food business

Japanese majors step up focus on Thai food business

By RJ Whitehead

After a decade of rising profits on the back of Chinese demand for coal and iron ore, Japan's two biggest biggest trading companies are shifting focus to food as bulk commodity prices and demand continue to wane. 

Suntory plans share sale to fund M&A drive?

Suntory plans share sale to fund M&A drive?

By Ben Bouckley

Multinational Suntory Holdings plans to sell shares in its non-alcoholic drinks business to fund a mergers and acquisitions (M&A) drive, according to unnamed sources cited by Bloomberg.

Dole sale nears completion, president moves to Itochu

Dole sale nears completion, president moves to Itochu

By RJ Whitehead

It seems like the sale of Dole's worldwide packaged foods and Asia fresh business to Itochu is almost complete, following an announcement that the American fruit major's president will be joining Itochu to run the company's new acquisitions.

Far East and America driving Australian beef dynamics

State of the industry

Far East and America driving Australian beef dynamics

By RJ Whitehead

Changing trends in traditional key export markets are presenting both hurdles and opportunities for Australia's boxed-beef exporters, according to a recently released industry report.

Fizzy drinks can massively increase risk of stroke

Fizzy drinks can massively increase risk of stroke

By RJ Whitehead

Drinking just one fizzy soft drink per day could bump up the risk of stroke by up to 80 per cent, according to a research team studying the effects of such beverages on nearly 40,000 Japanese men and women.

Vietnam also faces Japanese heat on ethoxyquin

Vietnam also faces Japanese heat on ethoxyquin

By Ankush Chibber

After India, Vietnam has become the second seafood-exporting nation to face the brunt of new Japanese regulations that will lower the acceptable levels for a key anti-oxidant used in fishmeal.

Dole is well known for its global banana business

Itochu in talks for Dole’s Asian operation

By RJ Whitehead

Japanese trading major Itochu has disclosed that it is in advanced talks with Dole Food over the purchase of the American company’s processed foods business and Asian fruit and vegetable operation.

Meiji takes 113% hit to confectionery operating income

Meiji takes 113% hit to confectionery operating income

By Oliver Nieburg

Japan’s second biggest confectioner Meiji Holdings has reported a steep decline in its first quarter (Q1) confectionery profits as its chocolate sales fall and it suffers from a “shrinking” gum market.

Nestlé's Pure Life range was a star performer for Nestlé Waters

Nestlé first half results: Pros and cons

By Rod Addy

Europe and North America were the worst performing regions for Nestlé according to its first half (H1) results, while Asia, Oceania, Africa and emerging markets delivered double digit growth.

Monster Energy in Japan (Picture Copyright: Inazakira/Flickr)

Becoming a Japanese energy drink Monster isn’t easy…

By Ben Bouckley

Monster Beverage Corporation admits its Q2 brand launch in Japan has hit problems, but said the nation’s distributors and retailers were far less tolerant of shipping damages and leakages than in the US.

Aspartame sales plunge for Ajinomoto

Aspartame sales plunge for Ajinomoto

By Rod Addy

Global sales of aspartame “decreased considerably” during the first quarter of Ajinomoto’s financial year, according to the company.

Cochineal insects

Warning over cochineal extract in Japan

By Ankush Chibber

Authorities in Japan have sounded an alert over cochineal extract, a commonly used food colorant, over fears it could trigger intense allergic reactions amongst consumers.

Oz-NZ caught fish are not being contaminated by Fukushima radiation: FSANZ

Australia-New Zealand fish free from Fukushima radiation

By Ankush Chibber

Fish harvested off Australia and New Zealand are free from radioactive contamination caused by the 2011 Fukushima Nuclear accident in Japan, the region's food regulator has said in light of a recent study.

Genomics are unlocking salt-ready rice potential, say researchers

Salt tolerant rice for Tsunami soils ready within two years

By Kacey Culliney

A method for marker-assisted breeding, conceived in 2009 through a collaborative research project between the UK and Japan, is now focused on developing rice breeds tolerant to salt-sodden Japanese soils following the Tsunami last year.

Alcohol-free sector holds opportunities in Japan

Growth opportunity in Japan’s alcohol-free beverage sector

By Kacey Culliney

Japan’s alcoholic beverage market is shrinking and sluggish according to a Datamonitor report, but analysts have noted opportunity in the growing alcohol-free sector due to consumer focus on drink driving laws.

Rice contamination in Japan leads to shipment ban

Rice shipments halted from Fukushima, Japan

By Kacey Culliney

Distribution of rice cultivated in the Fukushima prefecture has been restricted following the detection of unsafe levels of radioactive contamination found in samples harvested this season.