NHK
 
Farmers and volunteers started planting rice on Saturday at terraced paddies on the coast of the Noto Peninsula, central Japan, which were hit by a powerful earthquake and torrential downpours last year.
The picturesque Shiroyone Senmaida in Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture, which consists ...

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JAPAN TIMES
 
The historic surge in rice prices in Japan has led retailers to seek alternatives, using less expensive ingredients like barley and noodles in bento meal boxes to curb prices and retain customers.
Some retailers are expanding the sale of lower-priced foreign rice.
In March, convenie...

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THE GUARDIAN
 
Fuelled by social media, a global boom is outstripping production of the powdered green tea
The appearance of the vivid-green powder elicits smiles and appreciative sounds, and anticipation among dozens of tea lovers. Their hand-milled batches now ready for whisking with hot water,...

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BBC
 
One of Japan's biggest restaurant chains is closing its outlets for deep cleaning, after two incidents of customers finding pests - including a rat - in their food.
Sukiya, known for its beef-on-rice dishes, announced the temporary closure after an insect was found by a customer. Last weeke...

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JAPAN NEWS
 
Frozen mackerel is a popular ingredient because it can be used easily in a variety of dishes, not to mention simple grilling.
The Finance Ministry’s trade statistics showed about 77,200 tons of frozen mackerel were imported in 2023, up 14,800 tons from the previous year. About 70% co...

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CBS NEWS
 
Despite an annual warning from authorities, a deadly New Year's trend continued in Japan this week as two people died after choking on mochi — a doughy cake made from steamed sweet rice that is traditionally served to celebrate the new year.
Nine people were taken to hospitals in Tokyo...

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JAPAN NEWS
 
Production of karasumi, a delicacy made by salting and sun-drying mullet roe, has hit its peak season in Owase, Mie Prefecture.
This traditional food is a staple for year-end gifts and New Year’s dishes. At the Hashisa Shoten store in the city, unfavorable weather delayed the start o...

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CNA
 
Tokyo-based restaurant Isesada, which operates a stand inside the Keikyu department store in Yokohama, was responsible for cooking and directly selling the eel products.
Grilled eel, or unagi, a popular summer delicacy in Japan, is behind a department store food poisoning incident that has ...

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AP NEWS
 
The word “onigiri” became part of the Oxford English Dictionary this year, proof that the humble sticky-rice ball and mainstay of Japanese food has entered the global lexicon.
The rice balls are stuffed with a variety of fillings and typically wrapped in seaweed. It’s an everyday dish t...

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THE GUARDIAN
 
No longer just drunk for courage at karaoke clubs, the ‘food-friendly’ rice spirit is becoming a first choice of connoisseurs
When sommelier Erika Haigh opened the UK’s first independent sake bar, in London’s West End in 2019, passersby would wander in and try to order milkshakes, ...

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