Contents

Ⅰ . D e f i n i t i o n o f I t e m ･･･････････････････････････････････････････････････ 1
Ⅱ. I m p o r t t r e n d s
A. Imports ･･･････････････････････････････････････････････････････････････ 1
B. Imports by country and geographic area･････････････････････････････････ 3
C. Share of Imported Products in the Japanese Market ･･････････････････････ 4
Ⅲ. C o n s i d e r a t i o n s i n I m p o r t i n g a n d S e l l i n g P r o p o l i s
A. Legal Regulations and Procedures in Importing ･･････････････････････････ 5
B. Legal Regulations and Procedures in Selling ･････････････････････････････ 7
C. Government Agencies involved ･････････････････････････････････････････ 7
Ⅳ. L a b e l i n g
A. Labeling Compliant with Legal Restrictions ･･････････････････････････････ 7
B. Lawful Optional Labeling ･･････････････････････････････････････････････ 8
C. Industry prepared Optional Labeling････････････････････････････････････ 8
Ⅴ. T a x S y s t e m
A. Tariffs ･･･････････････････････････････････････････････････････････････ 9
B. Consumption Tax･････････････････････････････････････････････････････ 9
Ⅵ. P r o d u c t C h a r a c t e r i s t i c s
A. Differences from Domestic Products ････････････････････････････････････ 9
B. Characteristics of Producing Countries and Geographic Areas ････････････10
Ⅶ. P r o d u c t D i s t r i b u t i o n s , B u s i n e s s P r a c t i c e s , e t c . i n J a p a n
A. Markets in Japan･････････････････････････････････････････････････････10
B. Distribution Channels ････････････････････････････････････････････････ 11
C. Points to be Considered for New Propolis Market Entry ･･････････････････13
D. Price Trends ･････････････････････････････････････････････････････････13
Ⅷ . P o s t - s a l e S e r v i c e ････････････････････････････････････････････････････14
Ⅸ . R e l a t e d P r o d u c t s ････････････････････････････････････････････････････14
Ⅹ . P o i n t s t o b e C o n s i d e r e d i n P e r s o n a l I m p o r t s ･･･････････････････14

Appendix
A . L i s t o f R e l a t e d O r g a n i z a t i o n s ･････････････････････････････････15
B . O t h e r r e f e r e n c e i n f o r m a t i o n ･･････････････････････････････････17

Appendix
Yen-Dollar Exchange Rates
Year Yen/US$
1995 94
1996 109
1997 121
1998 131
1999 114
Source:”Intermational Financial Statistics,” IMF
Ⅰ. D e f i n i t i o n o f I t e m
Natural honey is a sweet substance produced in the honeycomb where bees store honey
collected from floral sources. It is defined in the Tariff Classification Provisions as follows:
“Honey is a substance whose cane sugar content should be below five percent of its total weight,
fructose content above 30 percent of its total weight, and fructose content above 50 percent of
all sugar content.” Other items otherwise defined that are also treated as natural honey
when they are endorsed by the authorities in the exporting countries, and properties and
analysis data comply with those of natural honey.
Propolis is a gluey substance with pellets made up of a combination of tree sap and enzyme
contained in bees’ saliva. Propolis on sale in the marketplace comes in the category of food-
grade alcohol extracts such as ethanol.

HS No.: 0409. 00 Natural honey

0511. 99. 200 Propolis: Solid, and pellet form
2106. 90. 299 Propolis: Ethanol extract
Note: HS numbers other than 0409. 00 (natural honey) represent a number of items other
than natural honey discussed in this report, but the statistics given in the report will refer only
to natural honey.

Ⅱ. I m p o r t t r e n d s
Ａ. I m p o r t s
１. N a t u r a l h o n e y
Natural honey imported in 1998 was less in volume than in 1997 amounting to 29,425 tons,
down 14.3 percent from the previous year and 4,529 million yen, down 25.3 percent from the
previous year. The reasons for its downturn were ① reduced demand in Japan, ② reduced
production in China - the largest exporting country, and ③ Japanese importers not importing
as much as they used to because of price increases worldwide.

1
 Figure 1. Natural Honey Imports

（tons） （million yen）

50,000 8,000
40,000 6,000
30,000
4,000
20,000
10,000 2,000
0 0
1996 1997 1998

volume value

(Units: tons, million yen)

1996 1997 1998

Volume value volume value volume value

Natural honey 41,592 6,154 34,318 6,061 29,425 4,529

Source: Japan Exports and Imports

2. Propolis
No customs clearance statistics are available on propolis as no HS numbers are assigned to it.
However, according to its importers and processing companies, as the efficacy of the product’s
antibiotic and anti-viral properties become better known to consumers in general, imports of
propolis are on the increase as shown below. Reasons for this rise in imports include the fact
that consumers have become more health- conscious and more familiar with propolis because of
increased exposure to advertisements for it.
Figure 2. Propolis Imports

（tons） （million yen）

125 2,100
120 2,000
115 1,900
110 1,800
105 1,700
100 1,600
95 1,500
1997 1998 1999

volume value

2
 (Units: tons, million yen)

1997 1998 1999

volume value volume value volume value
Propolis 105 1,700 115 1,900 120 2,000
The above statistics are based on estimates by Industrial Marketing Consultants Co. (IMC,
henceforth) through interviews.

B. Imports by country and geographic area

1. Natural Honey
Major exporting countries of natural honey to Japan include the People’s Republic of China,
Argentina, Canada, the U.S.A., and New Zealand, and of these countries China accounts in
value for 85.2 percent of all exports to Japan. Imports from these countries declined in volume
between 1998 and the previous year, the decrease ranging from 12.7 to 61.7 percent.
The reason for the large volume of imports from China is partly because the Chinese
government is promoting its exports, and partly because the kind of natural honey sourced
from Chinese milk vetch and acacia is much to the taste of the Japanese. The natural honey
from acacia preferred by the Japanese had been imported from Hungary before being obtained
from China. Hungarian honey used to maintain a high level of quality when the country was
under a socialist government with rigid quality assurance in place. This quality, however, has
fallen off under the liberalized economic system, and exports to Japan have decreased as a
consequence.

Figure 3. Major Exporting Countries of Natural Honey to Japan

U.S.A. Canada Other

1.9% 1.5% 5.5%
Argentina
2.9%
New Zealand
2.9%
1998
Total Imports
in value

China
85.2%

3
 (Units: tons, million yen)

1996 1997 1998

value value value volume
China 5,274 5,031 3,859 27,295
New Zealand 187 188 133 170
Argentina 234 339 130 700
U.S.A. 112 123 88 260
Canada 57 79 69 283
Other 290 301 250 717
Total 6,154 6,061 4,529 29,425
Source: Japan Exports & Imports

2. Propolis
Importers and processing companies in Japan report that Brazil is the largest exporter of
propolis to Japan, accounting in volume for some 80 percent of its total imports, followed by
China with around 10 percent. The remaining 10 percent is shared among the countries other
than China and Brazil. The quality of propolis varies according to the ingredients in the tree
sap and tree buds. It is believed that the propolis coming from Brazil, where the natural
environment is harsh, has the largest content of beneficial ingredients, resulting in increased
imports to Japan.

C. Share of Imported Products in the Japanese Market

1. Natural Honey
In recent years, imports of natural honey to Japan have been on the decline. While imports
were at a high level in 1998 at 90.7 percent (the ratio of imported honey relative to total
consumption in Japan) the imports came down 1.1 percentage point as compared with the
previous year, as shown below.
Declining demand for natural honey in Japan was the reason for reductions in imports.
Some of the reasons for this are ① a sagging economy, ② prevalence of confectionery, ③
consumers being more interested in keeping themselves slim.
Figure 4. Imported Natural Honey Share in the Japanese Market
(Unit: tons)
1996 1997 1998
Domestic production 3,138 3,120 3,061
Imports 41,591 34,317 29,425
Exports 107 67 27
Imports share 93.2% 91.8% 90.7%
Source: Reference material on Beekeeping
Japan Exports & Imports

4
2. Propolis
While imports of propolis have been increasing, production in Japan is declining, raising the
share of imports to some 96 percent in 1998. Importers and processing companies in Japan say
that propolis pellets coming from countries other than Brazil are rated low as they have a low
content of efficacious ingredients. Accordingly, imports of propolis from Brazil are expected to
remain strong, increasing their share in the Japanese market. Only small amounts of propolis
pellets produced in Japan are exported.
Figure 5. Imported Propolis Share in the Japanese Market
(Unit: tons)
1996 1997 1998
Domestic production 5 5 5
Imports 105 115 120
Exports 0 0 0
Imports share 95.5 95.8 96.0
The above statistics are based on estimates by IMC.
Ⅲ. C o n s i d e r a t i o n s i n I m p o r t i n g a n d S e l l i n g P r o p o l i s
A. Legal Regulations and Procedures in Importing
1. Natural Honey

Imports of natural honey to be sold as food in Japan are subject to the “Food Sanitation Law.”
This law stipulates that imports of natural honey require the submission of “Import
Registration of Foods” properly filled in together with other relevant documents to the
Monitoring Authorities of Imported Foods at the Quarantine Station located at Customs
Clearance. The Import Registration of Foods and other relevant documents submitted will be
reviewed by the Food Hygiene Monitor to determine if inspection is necessary. If no inspection
is needed, approval of the Import Registration of Foods is issued.
Various measures have been taken to streamline and simplify import-related paper work,
such as advance import registrations, control of imports, acceptance of test results by the
authorities in the exporting countries, continuous imports, advance confirmation of imports of
foods, import item registrations, etc.
The Food Sanitation Law states that no antibiotics may be contained in foods in general. In
some countries, Tetracycline based antibiotics are used to prevent epidemics in bees, and this
may increase the possibility of their being mixed into natural honey and propolis. No imports
are permitted into Japan of products that are found to contain antibiotics, and therefore close
attention should be paid to the antibiotic content of natural honey.

5
2. Propolis
Propolis is classified as a health food in Japan, and is therefore (like natural honey) subject
to the “Food Sanitation Law” for its importation.

Consult in advance with imported foods

Advance consultation
monitoring office at quarantine

Food import registration and other related documents

・ Description of raw materials, ingredients and
Preparation of import-
processing
related documents
・ Sanitation certificate
・ Inspection certificate

Submission of foods imports, or on-line

Import registration
import registration

Examination at Inspection needed

quarantine

Monitoring inspection Mandatory inspection

No inspection needed at quarantine by designated inspector

or quarantine

Sanitation inspection

Approval of foods
Passed Not passed
imports issued

Customs clearance

Distribution channels Scrap or return

in Japan

Source: Handbook on Food Imports

6
B. Legal Regulations and Procedures in Selling
The selling in Japan of natural honey and propolis as food items must comply with labeling
stipulated in the Food Sanitation Law and the Weights and Measures Law. For labeling that
mentions medicinal efficacy, it is necessary to file the appropriate applications and comply with
the Pharmaceutical Law.

C. Government Agencies involved:

The government agencies involved with import applications are as follows:

Food Sanitation Law: Food Sanitation Division, Environmental Health

Bureau, Ministry of Health and Welfare (MHW)
Weights and Measures Law: Weights and Measures Office, Machinery and
Information Industries Bureau, Ministry of
International Trade and Industry (MITI)
Pharmaceutical Law: Planning Division, Pharmaceutical and Medical
Safety Bureau, MHW

Ⅳ. L a b e l i n g
A. Labeling Compliant with Legal Restrictions
The labeling method must comply with the Food Sanitation Law and Weights and Measures
Law, and it must observe the following labeling method for natural honey and propolis to be
sold as food items.

- Product name
- Contents
- Quality assurance period
- Name of manufacturer, or importing company and its address
- Additives used
- Storage method
- Raw materials used

7
 Figure 6. Sample Label – Honey Figure 7. Sample Label – Propolis

Product name:    Honey Raw materials:  Propolis and Ethanol

    Honey
Raw material: Content:     300 g
Content:      300 g Use before:    Month, day, year
Use before:     month, day, year How to prepare:  Please------
Sold by:      XYZ Co. Storage:     Store in dark and cool areas
          Address Manufacturer:  XYZ Beekeeping Co.
Manufactured by:  XYZ Beekeeping Co. Address
          Address

B. Lawful Optional Labeling

There is no officially designated optional label for natural honey and propolis.

C. Industry prepared Optional Labeling

1. Natural Honey
For natural honey there is a labeling practice independently established by the honey
industry organization, the “National Honey Fair Trade Council,” in which a “Fair Trade
Practice in Honey Labeling” is promoted in line with the “Unreasonable Gift Give-away
Prevention Law.” Use of the logo of the National Honey Fair Trade Council is permitted when
labeling is deemed accurate.

Figure 8. Honey Fair Trade Logo

2. Propolis
The Japan Health and Nutrition Foods Association and The Japan Propolis Conference, as
part of voluntary control over the propolis business, have prepared a set of standards to be
shown on labeling regarding ingredients, manufacture, processing, etc. Use of the
organizations’ logos is allowed when quality and labeling meet their standards.

8
Figure 9. Logo of the Japan Health and Figure 10. Logo of the Japan
Nutrition Food Association Propolis Council

Ⅴ. T a x S y s t e m
A. Tariffs
Import tariffs for natural honey and propolis are as follows.

HS number Import tariff

Base Agreement Preferen-tial Provisio-nal

0409.00 Natural honey 30％ 26.3％

0511.99.200 Propolis: pellet 2.5％ 1.8％ None
2106.90.299 Propolis: ethanol extracted 16.7％

B. Consumption Tax
(CIF + import tariff) × 5%

Ⅵ. P r o d u c t C h a r a c t e r i s t i c s
A. Differences from Domestic Products
1. Natural Honey
One of the big differences between domestically produced natural honey and its imported
counterpart is considered to be the flavor. While in Japan the four seasons are distinct, with
different flowers in bloom in each season, in most of the other honey producing countries, the
four seasons are not so distinct. For that reason, it is often said that the flavor of imported
natural honey is less uniform than that of its Japanese counterpart.

2. Propolis
The quality of propolis depends on the efficacious ingredients in propolis pellets, and high
quality propolis is produced in areas where the natural environment is severe. Domestically
produced propolis is considered to contain fewer effective ingredients than the Brazilian
propolis, and demand for it is therefore low.

9
B. Characteristics of Producing Countries and Geographic Areas
1. Natural Honey
Natural honey has different characteristics depending on its country of origin because the
floral sources differ from one country to another. China is considered to have a climate similar
to that of Japan, producing natural honey that is to the taste of the Japanese.
In Hungary, where the spring season is short and many sorts of flowers bloom at the same
time, natural honey from a single flower source is hard to obtain.

2. Propolis
Propolis pellet coming from Brazil is most highly regarded in Japan. It is said that the tree
sap bees collect from the untapped jungle contains high levels of germ-killing ingredients, and
they are highly valued. In Brazil, such provinces as Sao Paulo, Minas, and Parana are well
known for producing propolis of high quality

Ⅶ. P r o d u c t D i s t r i b u t i o n s , B u s i n e s s P r a c t i c e s , e t c . i n J a p a n
A. Markets in Japan
1. Natural Honey
Consumption of natural honey in Japan is classfied into table honey (household) and honey
for industrial applications. According to natural honey processing companies in Japan, some 60
percent is consumed as table honey and the remaining 40 percent is used in industrial
applications.
In the household use, honey is frequently eaten together with bread, and demand for it in
the last few years has been flat to slightly downturning. In recent years, jam with a low calorie
content has been preferred over high calorie honey as consumers have become more health-
conscious, paying more attention to their figures. The trend in Japan with respect to natural
honey is that it should not smell strong, be light-colored, and taste simple and plain.
Accordingly, the natural honey most consumed in Japan these days is produced from acacia
and Chinese milk vetch flowers.
In the industrial applications, natural honey is used as a sweetener for confectionery such as
cookies and non-alcoholic beverages. Therefore, demand for it in this field is less stable than
for table honey. Fluctuations are caused by new product development at food and beverage
manufacturers.
Strong ties exist between major trading companies and major honey packing companies. To
cite examples, Kato Brothers Honey Co., Ltd. is connected to SC Foods Co., Ltd., and Japan
Honey Co., Ltd. to Mitsubishi Corp.
Among the honey packers who deal mainly with table honey, Kato Brothers Honey Co.
(under the Sakura brand) and Japan Honey Co. (under the Milk Vetch brand) conduct

10
nation-wide marketing under these brands. Api Co., Ltd., although not involved with
marketing under its own brand, is a promising packer that is successful in the subcontracted
production business.
Meidi-ya Co., Ltd. classified as a retailer, has been offering its own brand of honey, but its
packaging is farmed out to Nisshin Honey Co., Ltd.

2. Propolis
Knowledge of propolis has spread fast in Japan since 1985 when the product was introduced
for the first time at an international beekeeping conference held in Nagoya. Demand for it
has been on the rise in recent years aided by increased awareness of health on the part of
general consumers.
In some countries, propolis is treated as a pharmaceutical item, but in Japan it is positioned
as a health food item.
Propolis is sold in different physical forms including powder and liquid, but it is generally sold
in liquid form.
A well known manufacture in Japan is Nihon Propolis Co., Ltd., which has product display
facilities in place to aggressively promote propolis products. The company has patented some
new propolis extracting techniques in an effort to differentiate itself from its rivals.

B. Distribution Channels
1. Natural Honey
There are two distribution channels for natural honey, one for table honey (household) and
the other for industrial honey. Natural honey is supplied in large drums, and honey packers
repack it into bottles and plastic containers to be distributed and sold in the consumer market. It
is widely on sale at convenience stores and supermarkets, where it is in competition with
products such as jams and the like. Natural honey is in this way being forced into its own
smaller niche.

11
 Figure 11. Distribution Channels for Natural Honey

Exporter overseas

Importer in Japan

Food & beverage Honey packer Wholesaler

maker

First-tier food wholesaler

Pharmaceutical
company
Second-tier food wholesaler

Retailer

Consumer

Solid lines represent table honey distribution channels, and dotted lines those of industrial
honey

2. Propolis
Most propolis is imported by importers, processing companies and manufacturers in Japan in
the form of pellets. Finished propolis is rarely imported ready for sale in the Japanese market.
The imported propolis pellets undergo extraction and are refined into a commercially sellable
product. The finished product is supplied to final customers by way of agents, retailers and mail
order houses.
Propolis is positioned as a health food item and commands a higher profit margin than
ordinary food-stuffs having easier market entry. As a result, there are a number of small scale
propolis sellers in the marketplace, but no full-fledged marketers have yet appeared.

12
 Figure 12. Distribution Channels for Imported Propolis

Exporter overseas

Importer in Japan

Processing company in Japan

Agent

Retailer

Consumer

C. Points to be Considered for New Propolis Market Entry

As mentioned earlier, imports of natural honey and propolis are subject to the regulations of
the Food Sanitation Law in Japan. This law stipulates that no foodstuff may contain antibiotics.
In some countries Tetracycline-based antibiotics and the like are used. This is to prevent
epidemics in bees and leads to the possibility of antibiotics contaminating the honey and
propolis. No imports are permitted once antibiotics of any sort are detected at the time of
importation, and utmost attention thus needs to be paid to avoid contamination.

D. Price Trends
1. Natural Honey
In recent years, there has been a trend for the worldwide prices of natural honey to rise as it
has been in relatively short supply, although prices came down in 1998 when importers in
Japan made inventory adjustments. Its retail prices, however, have remained at stable levels
without being affected by the worldwide prices.
Although the production cost of domestically produced honey was 620 yen/kg in 1998, its
imported counterpart cost some 154 yen/kg (based on the data given in Japan Exports and
Imports). Natural honey imported from China, a large exporter, cost 141 yen/kg, but the
product originating in countries other than China cost 314 yen/kg.

13
2. Propolis
Demand for propolis has been on the increase in recent years, and its pellet price has also
been rising. The pellet price varies from one source to another, and it is reported in the industry
that propolis pellets from Brazil cost on average from 15,000 yen to 20,000 yen per kg, whereas
those from China are priced in the range from 3,000 yen to 10,000 yen per kg.
There is a viewpoint in the industry that finished propolis ready for sale differs in potency
levels from one supplier to another, and this causes prices to vary. However, the product is still
new in the marketplace, and no drastic changes have been observed in its pricing as yet.

Ⅷ. P o s t - s a l e S e r v i c e
Natural honey is a long-lasting substance, and no post-sale service is needed as its consumers
know how to treat it.
Propolis is a product that is still new to consumers, and good descriptions are therefore needed
regarding its use and efficacy at the time of sale. Accordingly, some suppliers give buyers
guidance regarding dosage and methods of use. Other suppliers have in place consultation
offices, product display facilities and propolis membership systems.

Ⅸ. R e l a t e d P r o d u c t s
One area related to natural honey and propolis is that of bees. Importation of bees is subject
to the regulations stipulated in the domestic animal epidemic prevention law, and quarantine is
required.

Ⅹ. P o i n t s t o b e C o n s i d e r e d i n P e r s o n a l I m p o r t s
Imports on a personal basis are not subject to the regulations in the Food Sanitation Law
except when the items thus imported are intended to be sold to third parties, or presented to
others.

14
Appendix
A. List of Related Organizations
The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry & 1-2-1 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Fisheries of Japan Tel: 03-3502-8111
(Protection and Promotion of Beekeepers) http://www.maff.go.jp/
The Ministry of Health & Welfare Food Sanitation Division, Environmental Health
(Regulations based on the Food Sanitation Bureau: Ext. 2448
Law) Planning Division, Pharmaceutical and Medical
Safety Bureau: Ext. 2708
1-2-2 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Tel: 03-3503-1711
http:/www.mhw.go.jp/
The Ministry of Finance 3-1-1 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
(Regulations based on the Tariff Law) Tel: 03-3581-4111
http://www.mof.go.jp/
The Ministry of International Trade & Weights & Measures Office, Machinery &
Industry (Regulations based on the Information Industries Bureau: Ext.
Weights & Measures Law) 3361~3364
1-3-1 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Tel: 03-3501-1511
http://www.miti.go.jp/
Tokyo Metropolitan Government 2-8-1 Nishi-shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
(Regulations based on the Consumers’ Tel: 03-5321-1111
Livelihood Law) http://www.metro.tokyo.jp/

National Honey Fair Trade Council 4-8-17 Nihon-bashi Honcho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
(Industry’s Independent Regulations Tel: 03-3279-0893
Preparation)
Japan Beekeeper Association 1-2 Kanda Surugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
(Promotion of the Beekeeping Tel: 03-3291-8628
Industry) Fax: 03-3291-8629
http://group.lin.go.jp/bee/
National Honey Union (Honey promotion) 9-15-5 Takashima-daira, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo
Tel: 03-3934-1604
Japan Honey Importers’ Council (Reviews & c/o S C Foods (Sumisho-Shokuhin) Co.
negotiations of honey imports) 1-1 Kanda Nishiki-cho, Chiyada-ku, Tokyo
Tel: 03-3219-3040
Japan Health Food & Nutrition Food 2-7-27 Sadohara-cho, Ichigaya, Shinjuku-ku,
Association Tokyo
(Survey, study and promotion of health and Tel: 03-3268-3131
nutrition foods) Fax: 03-3268-3135
http://www.health-station.com/jhnfa/

15
Japan Propolis Conference 6-27-12 Honcho, Nakano-ku, Tokyo
(Study and promotion of propolis) Tel: 03-3384-8964
Fax: 03-3384-8964
http://www.propolis.or.jp/
Mitsubishi Corp. (Importer) 2-6-3 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Tel: 03-3210-2121
http://www.mitsubishi.co.jp/
Nichimen Corp. (Importer) 2-2-2 Nakanoshima, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi,
Osaka-fu
Tel: 06-6223-5111
http://www.nichimen.co.jp/index.asp
SC Foods Co., Ltd. (Importer) 1-1 Kanda Nishiki-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Tel: 03-3219-3030
Kanematsu Corp. (Importer) 1-2-1 Shibaura, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Tel: 03-5440-8111
Fax: 03-5440-6500
http://www.kanematsu.co.jp/
Yagi Tsusho, Ltd. (Importer) 3-2-1 Imabashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka-fu
Tel: 06-6203-1112
Kato Brothers Honey Co., Ltd. 1-1-5 Senzoku, Taito-ku, Tokyo
(Honey processing) Tel: 03-3875-1182
Fax: 03-3871-2282
http://www.sakura-honey.co.jp/
Nisshin Honey Co., Ltd. 3133-1 Maki, Anpachi-cho, Anpachi-gun, Gifu-
(Honey processing) ken
Tel: 0584-64-4111
Nihon Propolis Co., Ltd. 5-452 Shimoatsuzaki, Kuroiso-shi, Tochigi-ken
(Propolis processing) Tel: 0287-62-8001
Fax: 0287-62-8002
http://www.nihonpropolis.co.jp/index.html
API Co., Ltd. 1-1 Sakurada-cho, Kono, Gifu-shi, Gifu-ken
(Honey processing) Tel: 058-271-3838
Fax: 058-275-0855
Japan Honey Co., Ltd. 3-11 Kinpo-cho, Gifu-shi, Gifu-ken
(Honey processing) Tel: 058-265-0315
Fax: 058-263-2651
Meidi-ya Co., Ltd. (Retailer) 2-2-8 Kyobashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Tel: 03-3271-1111
http://www.meidi-ya.co.jp/

16
B. Other reference information
・Reference materials on Beekeeping (Min. of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries)
・Japan Exports and Imports (Min. of Finance)
・Customs Tariff Schedules of Japan (Customs Tariff Association of Japan)
・Handbook on Food Imports (Japan Food Sanitation Association)
・Customs Tariff Classifications (Customs Tariff Association of Japan)
・Honey Labeling (Consumers’ Livelihood Guidance, Livelihood Culture Bureau, Tokyo
Metropolitan Government)
・Fair Trade Practice in Honey Labeling (The National Honey Fair Trade Council)
・A Study of Promising Natural Pharmaceutical Products and Natural Substances, 1999
(Industrial Marketing Consultants Co., Ltd.)
・Internet Home Pages on Government Agencies, Industry Organizations, Importers, and
Processing Companies

17