Raised at the foot of Zao in Miyagi — a brand pork that shines with the pure, true umami of pork, entirely free of off-odor.
JAPAN X is a brand pork produced since 1969 on the company’s own farm spreading at the foot of Mount Zao in Miyagi Prefecture. Produced by Zao Farm Agricultural Cooperative, the greatest feature of this brand pork is a proprietary production system managing everything in-house — from breeding pig selection through feed production, fattening, processing, and shipment. The breed is a three-breed cross — Large Yorkshire female × Landrace male sows with Duroc boars — with systemically selected breeding pigs crossed to stabilize health, meat quality, and weight at a high and consistent level. Drawing on SPF pig technology — free of 11 designated pig-specific pathogens — the pigs are in excellent health, allowing a short shipping age of just 150 days, with the fresh, youthful umami and sweetness of the pig at its most natural prominently expressed. The feed is a designated all-plant-based compound using corn and soybean meal as the primary ingredients, produced at the company’s own feed factory, with ongoing research into particle size to maximize absorption rate — drawing out a high-quality, off-odor-free fat flavor. Cold-chain management is maintained in a refrigerated state throughout from production to shipment, with absolutely no freezing — and despite the large-scale production of 70,000 head per year, quality is maintained consistently and uniformly. Adopted as an in-flight meal for JAL domestic first class, among other recognitions, its quality is broadly acclaimed both domestically and internationally. Particularly well suited to preparations that allow the authentic umami of the ingredient to shine — yakiniku, shabu-shabu, steak — where the sweetness of the fat and the satisfying texture can be savored to the full. A brand pork born of Zao’s rich natural environment and the producers’ thoroughgoing commitment — one that must be tried at least once.
Basic Information
- Name
JAPAN X - Production Area
Zao Town, Katta District, Miyagi - Management Body
Zao Farm Agricultural Cooperative - Breed / Crossbreeding
Female (Large White Female × Landrace Male) × Male Duroc - Meat Characteristics
Odor-free with abundant amino acid-derived umami. Sweet, tender fat that excels in yakiniku, shabu-shabu, and steak. - Feed Characteristics
Plant-based designated compound feed produced in the cooperative’s own feed mill (corn and soybean meal base, with particle-size optimization research). - Shipping Age
150 days - Annual Production
Approx. 70,000 head/year - Signature Dish
Yakiniku / Shabu-shabu / Steak - Certifications
Trademark registered: September 21, 2012 - Related URLs
JAPAN X Official Site
JAPAN X Online Store - Source
Brand Pork Guidebook 2026 p.39
JAPAN X Official Site
JAPAN X Online Store
Last updated
June 21, 2026