8 – Panel 6

Japan-Canada Relations and Beef

C. Holroyd: The Evolution of Canada-Japan Relations

This paper explores how Canada-Japan relations have evolved and changed over the past three decades. It looks at major trends in trade, investment, diplomacy, security, and scientific collaboration between Canada-Japan and reflects on the prospects for an expanded and mutually beneficial partnership.

J. Church: Wagyu and the Factors Contributing to its Quality: Lessons for Canada Resulting from a Unique University Collaboration between Countries

Today, the renowned beef brand name “Wagyu” includes not only cattle produced in Japan, but also cattle produced in countries such as Australia, the United States as well as Canada. The intense marbling of Wagyu tends to be its most noticeable characteristic. The high levels of intramuscular fat (marbling) content improve the texture, juiciness and thereby overall Wagyu palatability. The composition of the fat in Wagyu is much higher in monounsaturated fat (oleic acid) and considerably different from that found in most other beef breeds. In addition to the unique genetic makeup of the Wagyu cattle breeds, the unique production systems employed in Japan also contributes to the development of high-quality Wagyu beef, factors which are largely ignored by Wagyu producers outside of Japan. For example, the production process in Japan involves small-scale farming, a calf registration system, a beef traceability system, a nationwide unified grading system, and specialized meat cutting techniques. With the objective of enhancing understanding of the true value of Wagyu and the methods employed in its production, a tour of the Rakuen Gakuen University beef production facility took place near Sapporo, Japan during October 2019. Japanese Wagyu farmers are typically divided into two types: calfproduction farmers and fattening farmers, using primarily indoor systems that are quite different from those found in other countries. Breeding is primarily done by artificial insemination. Calf-production farmers feed breeding cows to produce calves and sell feeder cattle at auction. At these auctions, fattening farmers bid on a calf in consideration of its unique pedigree, and then fatten it with considerable care seldom observed outside Japan. Diverse fattening methods are utilized based on market demand for the various qualities of meat from different “branded” Japanese beef programs. On average, the Wagyu slaughtering age is 29 months with a body weight of approximately 755 kg for a Japanese Black steer; however, some fattening methods have been designed for even longer extended periods of times, sometimes up to 50 months. Wagyu beef is increasingly being exported to the global marketplace and creating new market value as one of the world’s most luxurious food products. Beef producers outside of Japan wishing to improve domestically produced Wagyu providence would be wise to better emulate the unique production methods employed by Japan’s beef industry in order to capture market premiums in the future

J. Butters: Japanese-Canadian Relations at the Start of the Second Pacific Century: the 2010s in modern historical perspective

This paper situates Japanese-Canadian relations since 2010 within the context of one hundred years of transpacific contact and exchange between the two states and societies. 1 The study is guided by three questions: (1) how have cultural relations shaped recent foreign political developments between these states? (2) How has the Japanese state employed cultural internationalism and cultural-/public diplomacy in its relations with Canada? And (3) have the self-identified roles and interests of Japanese foreign policy regarding Canada changed since 2010 (and if so: how)? Drawing on recent scholarship in modern international history and political science, the study connects the foreign political developments of the 2010s with the longer history of Japanese and Canadian transpacific experiences – from the cultural relations of the early-century (Missionaries and transnational education; Japanese labour on Canada’s Pacific coast; post-WWII reproachment and reconstruction) to those of the past decade (reparation movements; intellectual exchange and cooperation). Organizing analysis of foreign political relations are Japanese and Canadian governments’ shared interests in collective security in the North Pacific and a commitment to the US-led liberal international order since 2008 – particularly in relation to international law and issues of territorial sovereignty; economic multilateralism and the Trans-Pacific Partnership; and the function for these relations of the 2010 and 2020-‘21 Olympics and G7 and G20 summits. By incorporating historical and non-state perspectives into an understanding of recent foreign political relations, the study stands to make a two-part contribution to work on the decade 1 The study is underway as part of an edited collection (Handbook of Japanese Foreign Relations and Policies during the 2010s) expected in 2022 from MHM Limited (Tokyo). beginning 2010 in addition to that covering the broader history of transpacific Japanese Canadian relations since the early-twentieth century.

S. Dey & S. Harrison: Canadian perceptions of Japan, and Japanese views on Canada – Reflecting on public opinions

The past year has been anything but typical the world over. As economies start to pick up the pieces to rebuild a stable future, it is pertinent to reflect on Canada’s international relations and the way forward. Since 2004, the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada has documented Canadian opinions of Canada-Asia relations through the National Opinion Polls. These NOPs provide an overview of the consistently stable, warm feelings expressed by Canadians towards Japan, particularly in comparison to other Asia Pacific economies in the surveys, and Japan’s economic importance for Canada’s future. Canadian opinions about Japan’s advances in technology, innovation, and high-skilled human capital further reflect this appreciation. Even the public is aware of Japan as a prime market for Canada’s future development and progress. However, are Japanese businesses willing to expand relations with Canada? Despite the recently signed mega-trade agreement of CPTPP between Japan, Canada and several other Asia Pacific economies, a recent study by APF Canada finds Japanese business leaders express a lukewarm interest in Canada. While there is conceivable interest from Japanese leaders to conduct business in Canada, a significant proportion are not interested and cite a lack of familiarity among the barriers to engagement. The study provides an overview of Japanese business leaders perception of Canada’s business environment and market, perception of CPTPP, and Canada’s presence (or the lack of it) in Japan’s supply chain, therefore underscoring the need for Canada to explore ways to build awareness and brand presence in Japan to secure future growth. Together with the NOP, the Japanese business leaders survey helps to put Japan-Canada relations in perspective.