HIROSHIMA/YAMAGATA, Nov. 25 — A total of some 300 farmers and consumers took to streets in the cities of Hiroshima and Yamagata on Nov. 24 to call for income security. Similar rallies have been organized by farmers and held nationwide since December last year. The people led by tractors and minitrucks marched through the streets in downtown Hiroshima. It was the second time such a rally took place in Hiroshima Prefecture, after the one held in the town of Kitahiroshima in July. Among some 100 participants, around 60% attended for the first time. Kumiko Asaeda, a farmer and vice head of the Hiroshima rally’s organizing committee, said, “I’m relieved that … Continue reading →

TOKYO, Nov. 27 – The 54th Best Dresser Award ceremony was held in Tokyo to recognize individuals who have been influential in several different areas, adorned with approximately 800 Eustoma flowers provided by Takii & Co., Ltd., a Kyoto-based seed company. The flowers, commonly known as lisianthus, were collected from across Japan to decorate the venue and make bouquets for the award winners. Takii chose Eustoma in a bluish lavender color to match the award’s theme color. The varieties used for the ceremony included the Prima series, with richly fringed petals and an impressive three-dimensional shape, and the James, a large, frilled, double-flowered variety. The awards were given to four … Continue reading →

TOKYO, Nov. 18 – Pure-white whole cake are to be sold for Christmas. Yes, Christmas cakes are changing, as proposals for strawberry-less Christmas products are spreading little by little. Selling simple cake bases with minimal decoration can help sellers emphasize their value for money and cope with the unstable strawberry supply during peak demand periods, which is caused by extreme summer heat. There are still products featuring strawberries, but they require a stable supply during peak demand. Yamazaki Baking sells “Christmas Cake for Home Decoration” as undecorated cake base for four to six people for 2,160 yen this year. They have no strawberries, the must-haves for Christmas, but the products … Continue reading →

KOCHI, Nov. 17 — Kochi Prefecture is Japan’s top producer of yuzu, a citrus fruit that has been used to season Japanese cuisine, occupying more than 50 percent of the market. The city of Kami in Kochi Prefecture holds the nation’s top share in producing yuzu for fresh fruit consumption. The local Monobe Yuzu brand, out of which 60 percent are destined for fresh fruit consumption, is known for harvesting and sorting involving great care, leading to a strong market reputation as the fruit of the winter. Monobe Yuzu is cultivated in Kami, then sorted at and shipped from the Monobe collection and shipping center of JA Kochi, a local … Continue reading →

One of Japan’s leading toy manufacturers, Tomy Company Ltd., is going to release a new series of sushi-themed toy cars, “Sushi Tomica,” in the latter half of December this year. The toy cars come in the size of authentic sushi and are created by the company’s master miniature toy car designers, who applied their seasoned artistry. The shari (vinegared rice) part of each sushi toy even has a driver’s seat and number plates, making them a perfect car that you can enjoy driving. Sushi Tomica is a series commemorating the 55th anniversary of Tomica toy car production. They will be available at toy stores nationwide and online e-commerce sites for … Continue reading →