Tokyo – Italian Prosciutto di Parma was registered under a Japanese geographic indication, based on a system called “GI” that aims to protect local brands. The Japanese Ministry of Forestry and Fisheries has released this information. This is the first time that a foreign product becomes subject to local brand protection in Japan. There is a specification regarding the production of Prosciutto di Parma which involves the use of local pigmeat, minimum levels of salt and a seasoning process that takes a year or more. Last year, prosciutto di Parma imports in Japan amounted to 107 million euros in value. (9colonne)
