I would like to import foods. What items must be indicated on the label? 

It is stipulated that the name, Recommended Last Consumption Date, Date of Minimum Durability, name of manufacturer (importer), address of manufacturing plant (business office of importer), preserving method, food additives therein and the country of origin, etc. of foods must be indicated in Japanese on the package at an easily readable location on the product.

1. "The Law Concerning Standardization and Proper Labeling of Agricultural and Forestry Products (JAS Law)" establishes the Quality Labeling Standards for foods and beverages and require manufacturers and others to follow the standards in order to assist consumers in selecting goods. The Food Sanitation Law sets out labeling standards from the public health standpoint. Other laws incuding the Health Promotion Law also provides labeling standards.

2. All foods and drinks are subject to mandatory labeling requirements under the Quality Labeling Standard in the JAS Law. Substantively, the labeling requirement is set in the following manner:
(1) For fresh foods, items including the name of the product/produce, production origin (for imported products, the country of its origin);
(2) For processed foods, labeling, on the package or container, of items including the name of products, ingredients and their respective amounts, Recommended Last Consumption Date or Date of Minimum Durability, preservation methods, production origin (for imported products, the country of its origin), and name of manufacturer (or importer) and its address. In addition, there are some products that are required to be labeled specific items pursuant to the individual Quality Labeling Standards.

3. The Food Sanitation Law requires that, for all packaged processed foods, such items be indeicated on the package at an easily readable location on the product, as those including the name of the food product (product category in the case of milk and dairy products), Recommended Last Consumption Date or Date of Minimum Durability and quality preserving period, name of manufacturer (importer), address of manufacturing plant (business office of importer), preserving method, and food additives therein. In addition, for dairy products including milk and ice cream, soft drinks, meat products and frozen foods, items to be labeled for each product are established respectively.

4. As for genetically modified foods and food products containing allergenic substances shall be labeled so depending on the product category.

5. The Health Promotion Law further stipulates that food products must carry nutritional labeling including certain nutrients and energy intake range, based on the nutritional labeling standards. False or extravagant claims regarding health promotional effect are prohibited.