Wild birds and animals caused ¥204.86 million in Fukushima crop damage in fiscal 2025, the highest since the current survey began, local television reported on October 19. Bear-related crop damage rose to about 5.6 times the preceding year's level.
Minaminihon Broadcasting reported on October 19 that shipments of early-dug bamboo shoots had begun in Izumi, Kagoshima. The local report described shoots with little bitterness or astringency and a tender texture.
Arata Takebe held his inaugural agriculture-minister conference on October 15 evening, succeeding Kazuo Yana. He called Yana's road-budget remarks inappropriate and stressed fairness, transparency and restoring trust.
Fukushima's projected 2026 table-rice harvest was 337,400 tonnes, down 33,800 from the previous year, Fukushima TV reported October 13, citing the Tohoku agricultural bureau.