To help achieve Goal 12 of the SDGs, “Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns,” food loss must be reduced. Therefore, a case study based on industry-academia collaboration with a processed food manufacturer was conducted. The manufacturer has a single production site in Koga City, Ibaraki Prefecture, and it ships products nationwide. The company handles milk, dairy products, various beverages, desserts, and other daily delivery products. All of these products are susceptible to obsolescence and have a short shelf life; consequently, excess inventory can easily lead directly to food loss. Aiming to reduce food loss, we analyzed the current situation and factors according to a problem-solving QC (Quality Control) story, and low accuracy in demand forecasting was found to be the main cause of food loss. As a result of studying countermeasures from the perspective of the 4Ms (Man, Machine, Material, Method) of production factors in quality control, we developed and introduced a demand forecasting method suitable for the characteristics of day-of-week-dependent demand as a countermeasure. By examining the formula for demand forecasting, we proposed a method that applies the multiple comparison procedure used in pharmaceutical development to demand forecasting in this case study. The demand forecasting formula is simple, and its practical use is emphasized in this case study. We compared and verified the accuracy of demand forecasting between the proposed method and existing methods using the absolute percentage error as an evaluation index and confirmed the superiority of the proposed method. This proposed method has practical value not only in terms of demand forecasting accuracy but also in terms of the standardization of operations.

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The Japanese Agricultural Standard for “foods produced with the participation of persons with disabilities” (henceforth “Noufuku JAS”) was newly established in 2019. The Noufuku JAS is intended to improve Noufuku products’ brand power and sales promotion effect. To be certified under Noufuku JAS, a product must have been “produced with the participation of persons with disabilities in the main production processes.” However, the standard does not specify the types of work to be engaged in by persons with disabilities, and the current concept of “main production processes” excludes home-based work performed by people with disabilities. On the other hand, Sakuta et al. (2021) indicated concrete consideration of people with severe physical disabilities who engage in home-based work in the agricultural sector utilizing information and communication technology (ICT).
This paper discusses the effects on farm business when people with severe physical disabilities engage in agriculture and welfare collaboration by working from home using ICT. The study approached the phenomenon from the viewpoint of the possibility of acquiring Noufuku JAS certification. In this case, the “digitalization of production and shipping information in the vegetable sector” was positioned as constituting the “main production processes.” The study used experimental data on people with severe physical disabilities who work from home using ICT. Based on the results, it was concluded that people with severe physical disabilities who work from home using ICT meet the requirements stipulated in the Noufuku JAS. Consequently, there is certification potential.

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The COVID-19 pandemic, Russian aggression with Ukraine, export restriction measures in agricultural and food sectors, climate change and other factors cause to increase risks and uncertainties for global food markets. Unstable domestic food prices, impacted by the volatile international food markets, have a crucial impact on domestic food system. This symposium discusses an ideal food system to ensure stable food procurement. Furthermore, we expect that this symposium can lead to academic contributions for proposing new food system policies, by integrating multiple academic fields of knowledge. The first presentation was titled “Corporate Behavior and Issues for Stable Supply in the Flour Milling and Feed Industries”,; the second was titled “Structural Analysis of the Food System of Imported Rapeseed: Toward Stable Oilseeds Procurement in Japan”; the third was “Actual Conditions and Challenges of Grain Procurement Behavior by Japanese Trading Companies: Focusing on North America”; and the last was “Zen-Noh’s Initiatives and Issues for Stable Procurements of Grains & Oilseeds, etc. from Overseas”. Two commentators also made these discussions deeper and more fruitful.

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This study aims to elucidate the corporate behavior and issues concerning stable supply in the flour milling and feed industries. Considering corporate behavior through the lens of upgrading, emphasis has primarily been placed on ”process upgrading” in the flour milling and feed industries. Specifically, cost reductions have been achieved by diversifying raw material procurement, improving the efficiency of raw material transportation, consolidating manufacturing plants, streamlining brands, and implementing direct delivery and sales of products.
However, achieving further efficiencies in raw material sourcing, manufacturing, and sales processes proves to be challenging. Consequently, coping with price increases is not an easy task, and government support becomes indispensable. The government is called upon to make comprehensive adjustments and respond with agility according to the circumstances.

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This study examines the working behaviors and prospects of Japanese trading companies, focusing on corn and soybeans, from their sourcing to importation into Japan, by revealing the grain distribution process in the USA. The study also considers access to agricultural land, which is an important factor from the perspective of food security. The results showed that first, each company has expanded the grain sourcing network; recognizing the advantage of long-term relationships, gathering information, reducing costs, and meeting non-genetically modified organism (GMO) demands. Second, Japanese companies have gained their share in the grain distribution in the USA under the structural change of the distribution industry, however, the share has been declining recently. In addition, it is considered to be effective for them to strengthen food security by entering into production by acquiring farmland. In recent years, there have been moves to tighten regulations in some states, which make it difficult for Japanese trading companies to access farmland, especially in grain-producing areas. Japanese trading companies rely on the sales of grains for the domestic market. The study concludes that future restructuring of port and feed industries in Japan, and a shrinking domestic market due to an aging society will be causes of concern, and that establishing profitable sales outside Japan will be the challenges, which affect Japanʼs food security.

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This report reviews the initiatives made by Zen-Noh (National Federation of Agricultural Co-operative Associations) in its efforts to ensure stable procurement of Grains, Oilseeds and Fertilizers from overseas, and discusses future challenges. The 1970s was a time when grain and oilseeds were used as political weapons, as world demand expanded dramatically, while droughts and conflicts broke out in various regions, and the U.S. government imposed embargoes. Zen-Noh established Zen-Noh Grain Corporation in 1979 and acquired CGB Enterprises Inc. in 1988 to build up its own supply chain between the US and Japan. Since 2000, some structural changes have occurred in the global grain and oilseed markets. Zen-Noh have been tackling those changes by strengthening its procurement and export capacity expansion in the US, as well as investing into the supply chains in Brazil and Canada.

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This study examines four key aspects of stable oilseed procurement, providing insights into the overall structure of the rapeseed food system imported from Canada to Japan. Firstly, we present an overview of the current situation and challenges associated with the procurement of imported rapeseed in Japan. Secondly, we clarify the vertical coordination system, shedding light on potential future access to rapeseed export channels from Canada. Thirdly, we analyze the decision-making process for determining optimal quantities of imported rapeseed and explore alternative options. Lastly, we examine power imbalances within the vertical stages of the rapeseed food system from an equity perspective. The study concludes with policy implications as follows: (1) Under a trading structure with price mechanism functions, it is necessary to create an environment in which the Japanese vegetable oil industry can pass on high raw material prices to consumers to ensure competitive and stable raw material procurement; (2) It is essential to establish stable and close political relationships between countries; (3) When considering alternative oil and fat products, confirming Japanese consumer evaluations is necessary; and (4) Since the expansion of biodiesel production in various countries could be detrimental to Japan's food security, its merits and demerits must be evaluated.

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