On December 3, 2014, Dr. Huang Xiaochun from the Faculty of Humanities at Hirosaki University gave us a lecture entitled “International Economic Activities”, especially the apple industry.

　Aomori apples are big, sweet, and expensive fruits suitable for the Japanese taste. On the other hand, foreign apples are small, sour, and the prices are lower.

　Aomori apples are known to have good quality, and exports to Taiwan and other markets are growing. However, it has not been established as an exporting industry, so it depends on the trading companies in Tokyo and Kobe by indirect export. A new business model needs to be built up.

　It is possible to export the apple industry itself. For example, by using the intellectual property such as the exclusive cultivation right and trademark right, and restricting the cultivation and sale of specific apples, the Aomori apple industry would be developed. Also, by making specific apples trademark branded, the Aomori apple industry would be expanded through contracts with orchardists and sellers all over the world. In addition, it is important how to publicize them.

Dr. Huang Xiaochun from the Faculty of Humanities at Hirosaki University