#Food Waste Reduction #Commercial Practices #Hakutaka Institute

Nationwide Efforts to Combat Food Waste

October 30 serves as an important date known as the Nation-wide Commercial Practices Review Day in Japan, focusing on strategies to reduce food waste through the re-evaluation of commercial habits. This initiative is spearheaded by the Hakutaka Institute, established in 2012 to tackle the pressing issue of food waste in the food distribution chain.

The Mission Behind the Review

The Hakutaka Institute collaborates with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries to promote the reduction of food waste caused by excessive inventory and returns. These challenges affect the entire food chain, and meaningful solutions are essential. The institute has created a working group aiming to foster cooperation among food manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, and experts to address these issues comprehensively.

With rising societal demand for food waste reduction, this survey aims to highlight advancements in the re-evaluation of commercial practices within the food distribution industry. By publicizing these efforts, the institute hopes to encourage further engagement from the entire industry.

Survey Overview

In a recent study conducted from August 4 to September 16, 2025, the Hakutaka Institute targeted food manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers, gathering responses from 560 companies. Using a questionnaire method, the survey assessed the current state of commercial practices relating to food waste reduction and the implementation of new measures.

Key Findings

The results shed light on several significant trends within the industry. Notably, there was a notable increase in participation from both manufacturers and retailers:

• - A total of 393 manufacturers extended product shelf life, while 505 companies adjusted the safety coefficient to over 0.8. This shift reflects a broader acceptance among retailers, with 377 companies relaxing their delivery deadlines, indicating a collaborative effort in food safety and waste reduction practices.
• - Among manufacturers, 65 more companies engaged in logistics improvements compared to the previous year, while 54 additional retailers adopted longer shelf lives for ambient processed foods.
• - This year saw the introduction of a new study segment focusing on the “temae-dori,” where consumers are encouraged to choose items close to their expiration dates from the shelf.

Future Prospects

Experts from the working group emphasize the increasing engagement with food waste reduction measures across the industry. The progress is evident as retailers begin to relax the