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In
the 50 years since the end of World War II, the Japanese diet has
changed from a traditional one centered around rice, potatoes and
sweet potatoes, vegetables, and fish to incorporate many traditional
Western food staples. |
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The
five years from 1945 to 1950 were a time of crisis, characterized
by chronic labor shortages, decreased economic power, and devastation
of the urban landscape and the Japanese agricultural industry. During
this period, potatoes and sweet potatoes, vegetables, and minor cereals
were the mainstays of the Japanese diet. Chronic food shortages and
the lack of availability of animal food products meant that much of
the Japanese population suffered from an insufficient intake of calories
and protein.
The five-year period from 1950 to 1955
saw continuing food shortages. Although the Japanese diet was still
largely traditional, the percentage of animal food products such as
milk, other dairy products, eggs, and meat, as well as beans was increasing.
With this, the variety of food choices began to increase, while nutrition
improved, and minimum caloric requirements were fulfilled. Provisions
for a national school lunch program were also initiated during this
period. A typical school lunch consisted of milk, a roll, margarine,
and one or two side dishes. This was the first step toward the subsequent
westernization of the Japanese diet.
From 1955 to 1970, the Japanese economy
grew dramatically. As Japanese households acquired all the trappings
of Western prosperity, including home electric appliances such as
television sets, washing machines, refrigerators, and toasters,
their dietary habits changed as well. The consumption of traditional
European and American foodstuffs such as milk, butter, cheese, meat,
and eggs rapidly grew. Food imports increased, leading to diversification
and internationalization in Japanese supermarkets. The shift away
from the traditional Japanese diet was well underway.
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Starting
in the early 1970s, when Japan became self-sufficient in food in quantity
and quality, consumption of milk, other dairy products, and meat grew
sharply. |
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During this period, dining habits
also changed. European and American style fast food establishments,
including family restaurants and hamburger stands, began to spring
up throughout the country, enabling people to eat a wide variety
of cuisine, anytime and anywhere. Accompanying these changes, unfortunately,
was an increase in health-related problems such as obesity, high
blood pressure and the occurrence of adult ailments among younger
Japanese.
Partly due to concerns about these
problems, beginning around 1975, Japanese traditional diet has been
reassessed. But the consumption of rice has declined in the long
term. Despite this, the consumption of milk and dairy products increased
steadily.
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Source:"Research
of national nutrition "Ministry of Health,Labour and Welfare
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The
consumption of milk and other dairy products grew rapidly as the Japanese
diet became more westernized. An average annual increase of 9.4% in
daily per capita consumption was recorded between 1965 and 1975. The
rate of growth began to decline around 1975 as westernization became
more complete, birth rates declined, and competition from other beverages
such as soft drinks and sports drinks increased.
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Current
daily per capita consumption of milk is about 105g (about half a glass),
much less than that of Western industrialized countries. Consequently,
the demand for Japanese dairy products is thought low relative to
that of industrialized nations in the West. Compared with rice and
other traditional staples, the market for milk and other dairy products
shows considerable room for growth and great potential in the future.
Changes
in Daily Per Capita Consumption of Milk and Other Dairy Products
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year
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Milk and Other Dairy Products
(in grams of raw milk)
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Milk
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Other Dairy Products
(in grams of raw milk)
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Butter
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Cheese
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1960 |
61.0 |
29.3 |
28.7 |
0.4 |
0.2 |
1965 |
102.8 |
50.5 |
48.6 |
0.7 |
0.5 |
1970 |
137.2 |
69.3 |
64.8 |
1.1 |
1.1 |
1975 |
146.5 |
76.9 |
67.7 |
1.4 |
1.4 |
1977 |
156.2 |
84.9 |
69.6 |
1.3 |
1.8 |
1978 |
162.4 |
87.7 |
72.9 |
1.4 |
1.9 |
1979 |
169.2 |
91.0 |
76.5 |
1.5 |
2.0 |
1980 |
179.0 |
92.9 |
84.9 |
1.6 |
1.9 |
1981 |
177.6 |
95.3 |
81.1 |
1.7 |
2.0 |
1982 |
183.2 |
97.0 |
84.9 |
1.7 |
2.0 |
1983 |
192.5 |
96.6 |
84.6 |
1.7 |
2.1 |
1984 |
195.5 |
97.6 |
96.7 |
1.8 |
2.3 |
1985 |
193.6 |
96.5 |
95.8 |
1.9 |
2.2 |
1986 |
195.2 |
96.8 |
97.2 |
1.8 |
2.5 |
1987 |
207.0 |
101.7 |
104.1 |
1.9 |
2.7 |
1988 |
222.8 |
106.5 |
115.0 |
2.0 |
3.2 |
1989 |
220.9 |
109.1 |
110.8 |
1.9 |
3.0 |
1990 |
228.0 |
111.7 |
115.3 |
1.9 |
3.1 |
1991 |
231.7 |
111.6 |
119.2 |
1.9 |
3.3 |
1992 |
228.9 |
111.3 |
116.8 |
1.9 |
3.6 |
1993 |
229.2 |
109.4 |
118.9 |
2.0 |
3.7 |
1994 |
246.6 |
114.2 |
131.5 |
2.0 |
3.9 |
1995 |
249.2 |
111.0 |
137.6 |
2.0 |
4.1 |
1996 |
255.7 |
111.8 |
142.8 |
1.9 |
4.4 |
1997 |
255.4 |
110.1 |
144.7 |
2.0 |
4.5 |
1998 |
253.0 |
107.8 |
144.7 |
1.8 |
4.7 |
1999 |
254.2 |
105.5 |
148.2 |
1.8 |
4.9 |
2000 |
258.2 |
106.9 |
150.8 |
1.8 |
5.2 |
2001 |
254.7 |
104.5 |
149.9 |
2.0 |
5.2 |
2002 |
254.6 |
107.4 |
146.7 |
2.0 |
5.0 |
2003 |
254.2 |
105.1 |
148.8 |
1.9 |
5.1 |
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*Quick
Report Figure
Source:"Food Supply and Demmand;"Ministry of Agriculture,
Forestry and Fisheries. |
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