Yuki Masuda

Sep 29, 2023 | asia.nikkei.com | Kana Watanabe |Yuki Masuda

TOKYO -- Instant noodles, a global pantry stable born in Japan more than six decades ago, are coming home as imports with added Southeast Asian flavors, and consumers are loving it. The trend took off during the pandemic as Japanese, unable to travel overseas, opted for the tastes of Vietnam or Thailand in the form of instant noodles that can be cooked in less than five minutes.

Sep 22, 2023 | asia.nikkei.com | Yuki Masuda

TOKYO -- Global demand for instant noodles reached 121.2 billion servings last year, industry figures show, growing for the seventh straight year to hit an all-time high. The number of servings climbed nearly 2.6% from 2021, according to data from the World Instant Noodles Association, headquartered in greater Osaka. The figures are based on estimated shipments in 56 economies.

Sep 12, 2023 | asia.nikkei.com | Misa Hama |Anna Nishino |Yuki Masuda

TOKYO -- The Japanese government on Tuesday said it will lower the average price of imported wheat it sells to businesses for the first time in three years, as the global market settles from a surge triggered by the war in Ukraine. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries said it will lower its selling price of imported wheat by 11.1% from the April-September period to an average of 68,240 yen (around $460) per tonne starting in October.