#Japan #Tokyo #Ministry of Agriculture #AgriNote #WaterCell

Advancements in Environmental Labeling for Farmers in Japan

In a significant step towards promoting sustainable agriculture, the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) has announced an improvement in the process for acquiring the 'Mieru Label', a label aimed at visualizing the reduction of environmental burdens in agriculture. Set to launch in September 2025, this initiative involves a collaboration with WaterCell Inc.'s 'AgriNote', an agricultural management application.

The Mieru Label and Its Importance

The Mieru Label system encourages farmers to communicate their efforts in reducing environmental impacts to consumers. It operates via a visualization system that automatically calculates the greenhouse gas emissions and absorption levels during agricultural production stages, assigning grades and registration numbers. This innovation aims to make the process smoother, especially for those utilizing the AgriNote application.

Streamlined Processes with AgriNote

With this new partnership, users of AgriNote can expect a significantly simplified process when acquiring the Mieru Label. Traditionally, farmers had to complete complex paperwork, including Excel-based estimation sheets and email reports to MAFF. However, through the integration with AgriNote, farmers can submit reports directly through the app. This innovation is expected to reduce the time required for obtaining registration numbers and the burden of paperwork, allowing farmers to focus more on enhancing their agricultural practices.

The visualization system connects to a database via an API provided by MAFF. By utilizing AgriNote, farmers can easily access their cultivation information and see how their practices contribute to greenhouse gas reduction compared to local customary practices.

Features of the Visualization System

The Mieru Label system adheres to the guidelines for evaluating the environmental impact of agricultural products set by MAFF. It utilizes a simplified estimation sheet specifically designed for greenhouse gases. This means farmers can now obtain estimates without having to develop independent calculations within their AgriNote apps. Furthermore, submission of the necessary estimation results to MAFF can also be handled through this integration.

Current Collaborating Apps

As of now, the following agricultural management applications are collaborating with the visualization system:

• - Kubota's KSAS (Kubota Smart Agri System), which began operations in July 2025 and targets rice only.
• - WaterCell's AgriNote, which launched its capabilities in September 2025, focusing on rice with future support planned for tea production.

For users wishing to engage in environmental impact reduction with the Mieru Label, AgriNote's new capabilities present an excellent opportunity to streamline their efforts.

Call to Action for Agricultural Management Apps

MAFF is keen to expand collaboration with other agricultural management applications to further enhance farmers' access to the Mieru Label. If there are any app developers interested in integrating their platforms with the visualization system, MAFF invites them to explore this opportunity and improve the sustainability practices within the agricultural sector.

For further details, interested parties can visit the official MAFF website here.

Through these advancements, not only does the process of obtaining the Mieru Label become more efficient, but it also enhances the overall sustainability of agricultural practices in Japan, benefiting both farmers and consumers alike.