Yaeyama Islands Carbon-Free Farm LLC has unveiled their “Carbon-Free Farm Concept” with the launch of a new ranch operation on Ishigaki Island. It integrates environmental stewardship with agricultural practices, aiming to minimize...
The Japanese food situation continues to puzzle me. On the one hand, we have amazingly healthy eating habits – wonders of dashi, umami and fermented products from tofu to a variety of pickles – and yet, the Japanese are oblivious to the continued...
Traditionally, meat-eating has never been big in Japan. Considering the greenhouse gas emissions involved in meat production, it may be time Japan returns to its low-meat diet. Here we offer some ideas for protein-rich plant foods to replace meat...
The outbreak of COVID-19 had numerous effects on our daily life, workstyle and well-being. During quarantine, many businesses in Japan implemented a work-from-home policy. It brought about change in lifestyles since commuting time has become free...
Sustainability-minded nonprofit Retocos set a target to turn eight islands in Saga prefecture into “organic islands,” growing herbs and plants for cosmetic use. To the north of Karatsu-city, there are eight small beautiful islands all...
A Tokyo-based edible-insect company has begun joint research with a university expert aimed at expanding bug dining choices by optimizing techniques to mass produce edible locusts. Not only tasty, locusts are an even more environmentally friendly...
If you value eco-friendly food production, growing organic vegetables is the ultimate means of achieving that mission. However, organic farming is a niche industry in Japan for two major reasons. First is the seasonal rain in early summer. Sustained...
Did the concept of sustainable living emerge because of the challenges now facing our planet, or has it been around for centuries? Clearly, we are not the first ones in history to feel uneasy about our health and the environment, though the...
Labor shortage is growing critical in Japanese agriculture. According to a report by Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the aging issue of farmers and decline of new work force are becoming more serious each year. And labor shortage is...