foreign agricultural service gain report global agriculture information network scheduled public distribution date 8 7 1998 ja8516 overview of the japanese market for consumer ready products prepared by terrence barber us embassy drafted sarah hanson anthony palazzo highlights imports oriented food excluding seafood from were down 9 to 5 billion import cif basis in 1997 although retail sales at supermarkets and department stores continued decline an ongoing revolution is dramatically affecting relationships among manufacturers true price competition has emerged meet demands lower prices moreover japan s large diverse industry a prime target exporters beverage within 355 number restaurants serving western style meals continues grow demand include beef pork chicken vegetables wine several key entities began capitalizing on growing home meal replacements hmr developing take out concepts menus thus blurring lines between
