Japan takes steps against Chinese and Korean strawberry copycats

Japan's government and its companies are taking steps to protect the image and integrity of Japan-developed agricultural products against Chinese and South Korean copycats.

Japan has revised the Plant Variety Protection and Seed Act, which was partially enforced in early April, with some of the other regulations set to be effective next year.

It is intended to better safeguard intellectual property pertaining to the development of new seeds.

Zen-Noh, a representative of the Fukuoka branch of the National Federation of Agricultural Cooperative Associations, said the amendment would protect the value of Fukuoka's premium strawberry variety.

Following the amendment, Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries listed 1,975 locally-developed fruit and vegetable varieties whose seeds and seedlings are barred from being taken out of the country.

The list includes Amao strawberries, Shine Muscat grapes, Beniharuka sweet potatoes, and Yumepirika rice.