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Find the latest insights, innovations, and trends. From various news sources, we pick and summarize the most important insights, innovations, trends, and news from hundreds of reports each week in Japan.
Aeon to launch “Karoyaka” rice made from 100% California-grown Calrose rice on June 6th
Aeon (Chiba Prefecture) will begin releasing a new product called "Karoyaka," made with 100% Calrose rice from California, USA, from June 6th, primarily in urban areas where there is high demand. Due to the rice supply shortage that has continued since last year, people are saying things like...
TOFU sweet bar innovation
Martner Japan insight comment The Tofu Bar is a clean-label, plant-based food product that maximizes the natural power of soybeans by eliminating unwanted bitterness and off-flavors. Seasoned and ready-to-eat, it is designed to suit a variety of modern lifestyles—including busy mornings,...
Sweet potato snacking “Salted Karinto made with ‘Kogane Sengan’, a premium sweet potato grown in Kyushu Japan
Martner Japan insight comment "Imo Kenpi" is a traditional Japanese snack made by deep-frying thin strips of sweet potato and coating them with a light sugar glaze. It pairs perfectly with Japanese tea or other beverages, yet this simple and delicious snack remains relatively unknown outside of...
FIZZPRESSO: Redefining RTD Coffee with Sparkling Espresso Innovation
Martner Japan insight commentSuccess for FIZZPRESSO will depend on how effectively ITO EN can frame it not as “coffee with bubbles,” but as a new category altogether—akin to the way hard seltzer or cold brew evolved beyond their origins. Positioning, packaging, and education will be key....
Japanese Akebono Soybean 100% Tofu: A Unique Tofu Made from Whole Soybeans
Martner Japan insight comment I was truly surprised when I first tasted this tofu at Tenmoku, a restaurant in Yamanashi. The flavor, density, texture, and aroma were on a completely different level compared to standard tofu—rich, refined, and deeply satisfying. It’s also available at select local...
“TOUCH TO GO” at Takanawa Gateway Station – The Future of Smart Retail
TOUCH TO GO: How Japan’s First AI-Powered Unmanned Store is Redefining Urban Retail As Japan’s retail industry faces structural labor shortages and demands for operational efficiency, TOUCH TO GO emerges as a pioneering response. Developed by TOUCH TO GO Inc. (a joint venture between JR East...
Edamame bread Innovation :A premium bakery creation made with seasonal edamame, used generously.
Martner Japan insight comment Edamame, traditionally used in Japanese cuisine, is now emerging as a high-value bakery ingredient, driven by its strong associations with health, seasonality, and local provenance. In the savory bread category, its combination with Western ingredients such as...
The Future of Sweets: Frozen Imagawa-yaki You Can Enjoy Straight from the Freezer”
Martner Japan insight comment Traditional Japanese sweets such as taiyaki and imagawa-yaki have long been enjoyed as warm confections. However, in recent years, with summer-like heat in Japan now lasting from June through early October, a new wave of frozen sweets is gaining popularity. Globally,...
![A new confectionery that’s “too new to be called chocolate” is born! [Nama Toki Shittori Milk]](https://i0.wp.com/www.martnerjapan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/%E3%82%B9%E3%82%AF%E3%83%AA%E3%83%BC%E3%83%B3%E3%82%B7%E3%83%A7%E3%83%83%E3%83%88-2025-06-13-182400.png?resize=400%2C250&ssl=1)
A new confectionery that’s “too new to be called chocolate” is born! [Nama Toki Shittori Milk]
Meiji's unique patented "raw kneading method" carefully mixes cacao and milk. A new type of confectionery that achieves an "unprecedented moisture range" *2 Meiji Co., Ltd. (Representative Director and President: Katsuya Matsuda) will launch a new product, "Nama Notoki Moist Milk," which utilizes...
LAWSON to release plant-based food made entirely from plants on May 27th
Starting May 27, LAWSON (Tokyo) has launched the "NL Plant-Based Grissini Tomato Basil Flavor" (168 yen including tax), which is made using only plant-based ingredients, as part of its Natural LAWSON confectionery series at LAWSON stores nationwide (14,026 stores as of the end of April 2025,...
Challenging Cocoa Inflation – Fuji Oil’s Plant-Based Alternative Shows Promise
Rethinking Chocolate for the Future – Fuji Oil Unveils Cacao-Free Innovation As cocoa prices continue to soar, a new approach from Japan’s Fuji Oil Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Izumisano, Osaka; President and CEO: Tatsuji Omori) is gaining attention across the food industry. In March 2025, the company...
Morinaga Milk Industry Clinico launches “Sunkist Onaka Ukiuki Satisfying Fruit” series to support intestinal environment
On June 11th, Morinaga Milk Industry Clinico (Tokyo) will release three flavors of the "Sunkist Onna Kiuki Satisfying Fruit" series of nutritional supplement drinks that make it easy to get dietary fiber as functional foods - "Apple," "Tangerine," and "Muscat" - as well as a "Various Set" that...
Healthy Snacking While Dieting: Japanese “Chinmi” – The Guilt-Free Gourmet.
Martner Japan insight comment Seafood delicacies have already seen explosive growth in popularity across China and Southeast Asia. Why not consider offering products from a company with proven export capabilities in your market as well? As a new category, these items would be an excellent fit...
Summer flavor innovation in Japan !
Source：Store researh 7th June 2025 Inagiya Related Articles
”Afternoon Rice Craker snack ” Rice Cracker Snack Innovation, attracting women’s insight.
Source：Kamedaseika website Related Articles
7-Eleven Japan Launches Korean Gourmet Fair Vol. 2: New Ready Meals and Sweets from June 3
Source：Seven Eleven websiteRelated Articles
Tokyo Core CPI Rises 3.6% in May; Rice Prices Remain Elevated Despite Government Measures
Source：Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and CommunicationsRelated Articles
Upcycle MISO from HIRARI MISO company
Source：Shokushin.net news May 30th 2025Related Articles