This reports on the survey results of food loss reduction initiatives by local governments in FY2024, published by the Consumer Affairs Agency.
Survey Overview and Implementation Background
The Consumer Affairs Agency conducts annual questionnaire surveys on food loss reduction measures targeting prefectures, designated cities, and municipalities based on the Act on Promotion of Food Loss Reduction (Reiwa 1 Act No. 19). The survey results published this time aim to comprehensively understand the status of food loss reduction initiatives by local governments nationwide in FY2024, promoting horizontal deployment of best practices and effective policy implementation.
Status of Food Loss Reduction Promotion Plan Development
The FY2024 survey thoroughly investigated the status of food loss reduction promotion plan development. At the prefecture level, plan development is advancing, and designated cities also show certain progress. Municipalities are also steadily progressing in plan development and consideration, and five years after the law's enforcement, plan-making as the foundation for nationwide initiatives is spreading.
Content of Specific Initiative Examples
The survey results include diverse food loss reduction initiative examples implemented by various local governments. These examples encompass multifaceted approaches that leverage regional characteristics, including awareness-raising activities, business operator collaboration, educational programs, food bank support, and food-finishing campaign promotion. Particularly noteworthy are initiatives that promote resident awareness-raising and behavior change, and highly effective reduction measures through collaboration with local food-related businesses.
Regional Disparities in Initiatives and Future Development
The survey results also reveal differences in initiative progress levels between urban and rural areas and by population size. Horizontal deployment of policies applicable to other local governments is expected, referring to examples from advanced local governments, and the Consumer Affairs Agency will continue supporting local government initiatives and promoting nationwide food loss reduction.
The article demonstrates that food loss reduction initiatives by local governments nationwide are steadily progressing, revealing the spread of concrete actions at the regional level toward realizing a sustainable society.