Oji makes inroads on licorice cultivation in Japan

ABIRA, HOKKAIDO – Oji Medical Plants Laboratory, a unit of paper manufacturer Oji Holdings, is making progress on growing licorice, a plant used in Chinese herbal medicines, in Japan.

Based in Nayoro, Hokkaido, Oji Medical Plants Laboratory has established a large-scale harvesting system after trial and error. It aims to create a stable, high-quality supply of the plant through domestic production.

Licorice is effective for stopping coughs and reducing inflammation. It is used as an ingredient in some 70% of Chinese herbal medicines sold in Japan, according to the company. It also has applications in cosmetics and food, since it is used to make moisturizers and seasoning.

Japan currently relies on imports from sources including China and Mongolia for most of its licorice supply as the cultivation of medicinal plants in the country has declined since World War II. But uncontrolled harvesting in the two countries raised concerns over supply.

In response, Oji Holdings began cultivating licorice in Shimokawa, Hokkaido, in 2014, with the aim of ensuring stable supply.

There were repeated failures initially due to a lack of established cultivation methods at large farms, but after improvements made to agriculture machinery and fertilizers, its harvests started to get on track around 2021.

Oji Medical Plants Laboratory then went on to cultivate licorice in Abira, Hokkaido and also started supplying its products to customers.

During harvesting in Abira on Oct. 20, a tractor moved forward slowly to gather licorice roots. This year’s harvest will cover an estimated 7,000 square meters.

Shigeru Sato, director of Oji Medical Plants Laboratory, said, “This year’s crop is decent. We want to shorten the cultivation period, from three years to two years.”