王子薬用植物研究所, a subsidiary of Oji Holdings, is advancing large-scale licorice cultivation in Hokkaido with the aim of achieving domestic production and a stable supply. This season’s harvest has taken place in Abira, and efforts are under way to shorten the cultivation cycle, which has required 3 years.
The medicinal plant licorice is widely used in kampo medicines and is said to be included in approximately 70% of kampo medicines sold in Japan. It is also used for moisturising and flavour adjustment, and is expected to be used in cosmetics and food.
王子薬用植物研究所, part of the Oji Holdings Group, began cultivating licorice in Nayoro, Hokkaido, in 2014 and has sought a stable supply with the aim of achieving traceability. Since the latter half of the 2010s, it has gradually strengthened its harvesting capabilities through improvements to fertilisers and machinery.
This year, the company began cultivation on company-owned land in Abira, where harvesting operations were carried out on the 20th of this month. The harvest covers approximately 7,000 square metres of farmland, and improvements are under way to shorten the current 3-year process to 2 years.
Going forward, the company aims to further ensure a stable supply and quality of domestically produced licorice and expand business with cosmetics manufacturers and others.