Donation Program Raised 6.6 Billion Won to "Revitalize Hometowns"... But Return Gift Beef Origin Was Falsified

False Labeling of Beef as “Kagoshima-produced” for Return Gifts
Donations to Eight Local Governments Total Approximately 6.6 Billion Won

In Japan, a former executive of a livestock processing company has been arrested by the police on suspicion of improperly labeling the origin and other information of beef provided as a return gift for the hometown tax (Furusato Nozei) donation program. The donations received by local governments, which offered this company’s products as return gifts, exceed 750 million yen (approximately 6.6 billion won).

Wagyu. Mizusako Livestock Processing Company Instagram

According to NHK on August 18, Kagoshima prefectural police announced the arrest of Mr. A (age 55), former director of Mizusako Livestock, a livestock processing company in Ibusuki City, on charges of violating the Food Labeling Act and fraud.

According to the police, in 2023, Mr. A, who was in charge of overall meat processing and sales operations, is accused of labeling beef produced in another prefecture as “Kagoshima-produced” and selling it. Kagoshima beef is considered one of Japan’s top premium Wagyu brands.

Regarding Mizusako Livestock, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan issued instructions and recommendations in March this year for correcting the labeling and implementing measures to prevent recurrence, based on the Food Labeling Act and the Beef Traceability Act.

According to the results of an investigation by Japanese authorities, the company was found to have improperly labeled beef origin, cattle breed, individual identification numbers, and other information from 2023 until January of the following year.

As a result, the police conducted a search and seizure of Mizusako Livestock in April on suspicion of violating the Food Labeling Act.

It has been reported that, during the police investigation, Mr. A denied the allegations, stating, “It was not intentionally disguised.”

Mizusako Livestock’s products were also provided as return gifts in Japan’s hometown tax donation program. Donations received by eight local governments within Kagoshima Prefecture, including Kagoshima City and Ibusuki City, for return gifts involving this company’s products, have surpassed 750 million yen in total.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.