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About Us

In the 1950s, with Japan's remarkable economic growth and rice supply situations stable, consumer demand went from food quantity to quality. Because of the daily consumer demand for quality milled rice sold at a low price, the industry proceeded with the construction of large-scale rice milling machines to meet this new demand.
During this time, the Government cooperated with the industry and promoted small packed milled rice, to meet the increased trend in consumption and improvements in distribution.
With these changes, the Japan Rice Millers Association was founded in 1969, later developing Japan's large-scaled rice milling business.
On April 1, 2012, with the authorization by the prime minister, the Japan Rice Millers Association has changed to a general incorporated association.

1958 The Association established Study Group of Rice Processing in Zenryoren (predecessor of current Zenbeihan); which is now under theTechnical Committee of the Japan Rice Millers Association.
1963 Subsidization for the Food Agency in development of rice milling plants
(the first period: 1963 ~ 1964, the second period: 1967 ~ 1971, the third period: 1972 ~ 1977).
1967 Established National Conference on Rice Milling Plant (later dissolved to be the Japan Rice Millers Association).
1969 Founded the Japan Rice Millers Association.
2012 Became a general incorporated association (registered on April 1)
2019 Celebrated the Association's 50th anniversary.
Type of Membership Number of Members Number of Plants
Type 1 Member 234 266
Type 2 Member 36 36
Supporting member 45

(As of June 1, 2020)

Type 1 Member is over 50ps of rice milling machine.
Type 2 Member is over 25ps and less than 50ps of rice milling machine.

Activity

Milled Rice HACCP

In March 2016, we were designated as an accreditation organization under HACCP Support Law and have been working on HACCP certification for Japanese rice millers with our own certification standards. The standard is based on Codex HACCP standard.

Research and Development of Rice Milling Technology

With various research and technology development projects carried out emphasizing on supplying the consumer with tasty and homogeneous rice in large volumes, as well as the use of brown rice.

Research for Commercialization of Milled Rice

We strive improve the quality of milled rice, pursuing research and development of a new product, such as: technology in blending milled rice, development of new differentiated commodity of milled rice including foreign-grown rice, improvements in packaging techniques, and upgrading and training of the color sorting machines. The recent key businesses are conducting energy conservation and ecological countermeasures for the members and rice milling plants as part of global environment protection by implementing a reduction of greenhouse gases (CO2); this also includes carrying out testing on rice flour, and providing information to the members and rice milling plants.

Implementation of Technological Development/Diagnosis and Improvement of Facilities

For the future development of technology and operation of large-sized rice milling plants, performance tests of new machines and facilities will be carry out along with the basic tests to meet new demands and technological developments. Furthermore, factory diagnostics will be provided as we aim to solve issues and suggest improvements.

Implementation of the Production System for Making Finished Goods from Milled Rice

Regarding to the changes in the labeling system of milled rice from "self-imposed inspection system for the quality control of milled rice" in accordance to the Staple Food Act (since its establishment in January, 2001); and later to "production system for making finished goods of milled rice" in accordance to the Japanese Agricultural Standard (JAS) Law, for the benefit of our consumers. Also, members and rice milling plants fulfill corporate responsibilities in production by meeting the standards of Quality System of Rice Milling Plant established by the Association.

Plants which use the Quality System of Rice Milling Plant are certified registered under the Japan Rice Millers Association, Inc. and labeled with an "F-mark" (Finished Goods) in proof of reliability.

Furthermore, because the staff at rice milling plants are valued for their contribution in the "final production of milled rice", various training workshops are provided including correspondence courses and issuing of "licenses". There are four courses for those licenses:

  1. Milled rice inspection skills
  2. Production skills in rice milling plants
  3. Managerial skills in rice milling plants
  4. Cooked rice taste evaluation skills

Each course (with the exception of iv.) has an engineer (beginner level), a chief engineer (intermediate level) and a senior engineer (advanced level). In addition, there is a supervising engineer of rice milling plants (top level).

Guidance for Production Technology of Musenmai Rice

"Guidelines for production of Musenmai (pre-washed) rice" was provided in order to ensure its better quality, we perform a periodical third-party check for quality verification based on the "Quality standards of Musenmai rice check points" to ensure the conditions of production and product quality met according to the standards provided in the "Guidelines". The rice produced in the member plants (registered and certified for quality) can be labeled with the "Confirmation mark of Musenmai rice" which comes under the heading of the "Production system for making finished goods from milled rice".

Research of "Delicious Rice" and Guidance for Cooking

Producing "delicious rice" that is good for consumption depends largely on a specific variety where its quality relies on production in specific weather conditions, cultivation methods, post harvest drying, storage conditions, and milling. Because the quality of rice cannot be determined until it is fully cooked, the Association conducts research for the survey of cooked rice and its eating quality; where cooking techniques are valued and proper cooking instructions will be provided as well.

Consignment / support projects

Consignments are conducted along with other support projects such as guidance, training and development for rice milling plant construction, rationalization, quality control, business analysis, technical issues during production, research development in rice cooking and cooked rice processing, as well as other issues related to the rice milling business.

Provision of technical information

Regular bulletins about the "rice milling industry" and "general condition and information of rice quality" which provides information on the annual brown rice harvest quality by season to go on the market and regions, and evaluation of survey research.

Access

Japan Rice Millers Association
Japan, 〒103-0001 Tōkyō-to, Chūō-ku, Nihonbashikodenmachō, 15−15
TEL : (03) 4334 ‐ 2190 FAX : (03) 3249 - 1835
You can contact us with email by filling out the form below.
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