The first potato irradiator in Japan

Research in food irradiation on a laboratory scale has been in progress in Japan since the 1950's. However, new impetus and direction was given to national efforts in this area after a Steering Committee was set up in 1965 under the auspices of the Japanese Atomic Energy Commission to coordinate research activities and the National Project in Food Irradiation was initiated two years later. This Government-sponsored programme which embodies the active participation of Government ministries, national and public research institutes and universities alike, has been instrumental in bringing about a number of major changes in food irradiation activities in Japan. In 1973 a commercial potato irradiator was established at the Shihoro Agricultural Cooperative Association in Hokkaido with the capacity to treat over 10,000 tons of potatoes each month. Since 1973 sprout-inhibited potatoes have been successfully marketed in Japan and this transition from the research stage to commercial implementation has made Japan the world's forerunner in large-scale food irradiation operation. Now after over three seasons operation it is useful to reflect on the experience gained during this initial period. The author concentrates on highlighting the areas where objectives have been met successfully, and where unforeseen problems have arisen together with the attempts which have been made to overcome them. (orig.)