Spanning Iwate, Gunma, and Akita — a domestic brand pork produced on a wide-area scale that Frieden is proud of.
Yamato Buta is a Japanese brand pork (meigara-buta) from Iwate, Gunma, and Akita prefectures, managed by Frieden Co., Ltd. Breed / crossbreeding: (Landrace × Large White) × Duroc.
Nihon no Buta Yamato Buta is a brand pork created in 2001 by Frieden Co., Ltd. Spanning multiple production areas including Iwate, Gunma, and Akita prefectures, Frieden 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 White 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 no heaviness and a light aftertaste — versatile across a wide range of preparations from grilled dishes to braised preparations.
The feed is Frieden’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. The shipping age is approximately 170 days, with annual shipments across the Frieden 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
(Landrace × Large White) × Duroc - Meat Characteristics
Fine-grained, tender meat with elegant umami in the lean. Fat has a light sweetness, a light aftertaste, and no heaviness - Feed Characteristics
Frieden’s original designated compound feed based mainly on corn with barley and rice blended. Blend ratios adjusted seasonally - Shipping Age
170 days - Annual Production
Approx. 250,000 head/year (Frieden Group total) - Signature Dish
N/A - Certifications
Trademark registered: May 30, 2003 / Brand regulations: established June 1, 2001, revised June 1, 2003 / JGAP group certification: renewed April 27, 2021 (Japan’s first in the pig farming sector) / International Taste Institute (ITI) three stars: 2015 onward (multiple consecutive years) - Related URLs
Yamato Buta by Frieden
About Yamato Buta | Frieden
Yamato Buta | Gunma Pork Kingdom - Source
Branded Pork Guidebook 2026, p.36
Yamato Buta by Frieden
Gunma Pork Kingdom
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Last updated
6/21/2026
