#Japan #Sakai #JGAP #Japan GAP Association #Sunplaza

Enhancing Awareness of JGAP: A Sustainable Initiative

On August 30, 2025, in Sakai City, Osaka, the Japan GAP Association organized an engaging in-store event at the Sunplaza Mikunigaoka East supermarket. The purpose of this event was to promote awareness about JGAP (Japan Good Agricultural Practice) certifications, emphasizing safety, security, and sustainable agricultural practices.

The event featured a booth where visitors could learn about JGAP-certified products. Each participant was encouraged to engage with the materials that illustrated the importance of sustainable farming methods. As an incentive, 200 participants who filled out surveys received a complimentary 500ml bottle of Holi Dairy's “Kahoku Lake A2 Farm Milk,” which is sourced from JGAP-certified farms. Additionally, the event offered tastings of cured pork and sausages from Yamatobuta, raised on JGAP-certified farms, allowing attendees to experience the quality and safety of these products firsthand.

Sunplaza has made a concerted effort to regularly display JGAP-certified products throughout its store. The supermarket has utilized point-of-purchase (POP) signage to help customers better understand the significance of JGAP certifications, aiming to make them feel more connected to these sustainable practices in their daily shopping.

According to a survey conducted at the event, out of 205 respondents, 27 individuals, or 13%, were aware of JGAP certifications. Although this indicates limited awareness, the event also revealed that some consumers were already familiar with it. Feedback from attendees included comments like, “I didn't realize that some of the items I regularly purchase were JGAP-certified. Moving forward, I will be more conscious when I shop,” and “I finally understood the significance of the POP displays that I usually overlook.” This feedback underscored the vital role of information dissemination and in-store promotions for enhancing consumer understanding.

The Japan GAP Association plans to continue its efforts to advocate for JGAP certifications, bringing awareness to consumers about the significance of sustainable agriculture practices.

What is GAP?

GAP stands for Good Agricultural Practices, representing a set of guidelines that farmers must follow to produce agricultural products responsibly. The JGAP and ASIAGAP programs are certifications developed and managed by the Japan GAP Association. These programs ensure food safety, environmental conservation, labor safety, farm management, human rights respect, and animal welfare. Ultimately, they contribute significantly to realizing sustainable agriculture and promoting the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Furthermore, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries of Japan considers the promotion of GAP as a crucial policy issue, receiving widespread support from food businesses and being adopted for procurement codes at the World Expo in Osaka-Kansai in 2025 and the International Horticultural Exhibition in 2027.

About Sunplaza

Sunplaza operates as a community-focused supermarket in southern Osaka and Nara. It is committed to providing fresh, safe, and reliable food sourced directly from producers and actively engages in numerous initiatives to contribute to the local community and the environment. To achieve a sustainable society, Sunplaza promotes SDGs and highlights the availability of JGAP-certified agricultural products. Additionally, the supermarket emphasizes visualizing initiatives aimed at reducing the environmental footprint of agricultural products through tools like the “Mieru Label” and the Osaka carbon footprint initiative.
More information can be found on their official website: Sunplaza Official Site

About the Japan GAP Association

The Japan GAP Association is a public interest incorporated foundation responsible for the development, management, and promotion of the JGAP and ASIAGAP certification systems. Its mission is to contribute to society by ensuring food safety, security, and sustainable agriculture.

Association Overview

• - Name: Japan GAP Association
• - Office: 3-29 Kioicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan, 102-0094
• - Phone: 03-5215-1112 (Weekdays 9am - 6pm)
• - FAX: 03-5215-1113
• - Establishment: January 2015
• - Activities:

1. Development of the JGAP/ASIAGAP certification programs
2. Management and operation of JGAP/ASIAGAP
3. Promotion and public relations for JGAP/ASIAGAP

• - Website: Japan GAP Association Official Site
• - Email: [email protected]