Spanning Iwate, Gunma, and Akita — a domestic brand pork produced on a wide-area scale that Frieden is proud to deliver.
Nihon no Buta Yamato Buta is a brand pork created in 2001 by Freeden Co., Ltd. Spanning multiple production areas including Iwate, Gunma, and Akita prefectures, Freeden manages everything from breeding through fattening, processing, and sales in a fully integrated traceability system — supporting unwavering consumer trust. The breed is a three-breed cross of Landrace × Large Yorkshire sows with Duroc — designed with careful attention to the delicate palate of Japanese consumers. The meat quality is finely-grained, with a refined umami in the lean. The fat carries a light sweetness with never a hint of heaviness and a refreshingly clean aftertaste — versatile across a wide range of preparations from grilled dishes to braised preparations. The feed is Freeden’s own designated compound using corn as the primary ingredient combined with barley and rice, with the blend ratios fine-tuned seasonally according to the pigs’ condition. Shipping age is approximately 170 days, with annual shipments across the Freeden Group totaling 250,000 head — a stable supply system that underpins nationwide distribution. On the quality management front, the first JGAP certification in Japan for the pig farming sector has been obtained, now extended to all fattening farms as a group certification. Yamato Buta has also received three stars from the International Taste Institute (ITI) for multiple consecutive years since 2015 — quality recognized by international assessment organizations. A rich lineup of processed products is also available — including ham, bacon, and wieners — widely accessible at supermarkets and department stores nationwide.
Basic Information
- Name
Yamato Buta - Production Area
Iwate, Gunma, and Akita prefectures - Management Body
Frieden Co., Ltd. - Breed / Crossbreeding
Female (Landrace × Large White) × Male Duroc - Meat Characteristics
Fine-grained and tender with refined umami in the lean; fat is lightly sweet and clean-finishing with no heaviness. - Feed Characteristics
Frieden’s proprietary designated feed centered on corn, barley, and rice, with seasonal adjustments to the blend ratio. - Shipping Age
170 days - Annual Production
Approx. 250,000 head/year (Frieden Group total) - Signature Dish
Not specified - Certifications
Trademark registered: May 30, 2003
JGAP Group Certification: updated April 27, 2021 (Japan’s first in pork production)
iTQi Three-Star Award: 2015 onwards (multiple consecutive years) - Related URLs
Yamato Buta by Frieden
About Yamato Buta | Frieden
Yamato Buta | Gunma Pork Kingdom - Source
Brand Pork Guidebook 2026 p.36
Yamato Buta by Frieden
Gunma Pork Kingdom
Last updated
June 21, 2026