Food

'Spring Delicacy' Firefly Squid Fishery in Full Swing

HYOGO, Mar 12 (News On Japan) - The firefly squid fishery is at its peak in Shinonsen, Hyogo Prefecture, as the small bioluminescent squid, a seasonal delicacy of the Sea of Japan, is being hauled in.

Before dawn, firefly squid are brought ashore in Styrofoam containers at Hamasaka Port, one of Japan’s leading squid fishing hubs. Known as the 'jewel of the sea' for their blue-white glow when sensing danger, the firefly squid caught in Hyogo measure about five centimeters in length and are prized for their firm, springy texture.

Once landed, the squid are immediately auctioned, then boiled at nearby processing plants before being shipped mainly to the Kansai region, including Kyoto, Osaka, and Kobe. The firefly squid fishing season is expected to continue until late May.

Source: YOMIURI

Japan Post to Lose Freight Permit

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has notified Japan Post of its intention to revoke the company’s license for freight transportation, following the discovery of improper safety checks at postal branches across the country. The ministry had conducted a special audit in April after finding that approximately 75% of post offices responsible for mail collection and delivery failed to conduct legally required checks, such as confirming whether drivers had consumed alcohol before duty.

Legionella Bacteria Found at Osaka Expo’s Quiet Forest and Water Plaza

Legionella bacteria have been detected in multiple locations at the Osaka-Kansai Expo site, prompting health and safety measures. According to the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition, seawater collected on June 3rd from the Water Plaza, where water shows are held, was found to contain Legionella bacteria at 20 times the guideline limit.

Japan's Annual Births Fall Below 700,000 for the First Time

The number of babies born in Japan in 2024 fell below 700,000 for the first time since recordkeeping began in 1899, highlighting the nation’s accelerating demographic crisis. According to population statistics released by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare on June 4th, the number of births dropped to 686,061—down more than 40,000 from the previous year.

Convenience Stores Nationwide to Sell Government Rice in 1–2 kg Packs

Three major convenience store chains will soon begin selling government stockpiled rice in small packages of 1 to 2 kilograms. FamilyMart will start selling rice harvested in 2021—classified as old stock—at 20 locations in Tokyo and Osaka starting June 6th. The rice will be priced at 360 yen per kilogram, excluding tax, with plans for a nationwide rollout.

Cash Storage to Be Banned in Safe Deposit Boxes

Mitsubishi UFJ Bank and other institutions are moving to revise rules on the use of safe deposit boxes following a string of thefts, with the Japanese Bankers Association now working toward a ban on storing cash in these boxes.

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MORE Food NEWS

Rare Fin Whale Fetches 30,000 Yen per Kilo

Beautifully marbled raw meat from a fin whale—often referred to as the king of whales—caught in the Sea of Okhotsk was auctioned on June 3rd at a wholesale market in Fukuoka City. This marked the first auction of raw fin whale meat in Kyushu since the resumption of commercial whaling in Japan.

Shock in Hakodate as Opening Squid Auction Canceled Due to Poor Catches

In southern Hokkaido, the opening of the surume squid season brought an unprecedented shock as the first auction in Hakodate was canceled due to virtually no catch, leaving local stakeholders deeply unsettled.

Sushi Showdown Pits Rising Star Against Japan’s Best

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Matcha Shortage in Kyoto as Tourists Drive Up Demand

Kyoto’s famed tea industry is facing a dramatic shift, as a surge in demand for matcha among foreign tourists is reshaping tea fields and driving up prices. What was once a tranquil green landscape has increasingly been replaced with black sheets used to produce tencha, the base ingredient of matcha.

Where to Buy Cheap Stockpile Rice?

The newly announced price of 1,800 yen per 5 kilograms for low-cost rice has sparked strong interest across the Kansai region, with public agencies and retailers moving quickly to secure supplies amid growing consumer demand for affordable staple foods.

Scallop Prices Surge as Supply Plunges to One-Tenth of Usual Levels

Scallop prices are soaring across Japan as poor harvests send shockwaves through production areas and seafood retailers, with wholesalers and restaurants warning of a prolonged crisis brought on by a string of environmental disasters.

How Japan is Destroying American Restaurants!!

In this video, the host sets out to compare American casual dining staples as prepared in Japan, visiting both Denny's and Red Lobster in Tokyo. (More Best Ever Food Review Show)

Behind the Counter at a Japanese Ramen Yatai Stand

This is behind the counter at a Yatai, traditional Japanese style food cart, called Menya Miyabi. This mobile street food stand just outside of Tokyo at Urawa Misono station is run by an aspiring young man, following in the footsteps of his Father, a ramen master based in Hokkaido. (Paolo fromTOKYO)

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