THE FACT THAT? The Tokyo Metropolitan Government is supporting local tea producers to shift from traditional sencha production to matcha production as international demand for green tea powder continues to rise.
THE DETAILS Tokyo has allocated 20 million yen (US$126,000) in its fiscal 2026 budget to help tea farmers transition to matcha production through subsidies for shading equipment and processing costs. The initiative will focus on the tea-producing areas of Mizuho and Musashimurayama, known for producing Tokyo Sayama tea. Unlike sencha, matcha requires the tea leaves to be shaded before harvesting and processed into tencha before being ground into powder. The government plans to market the product under a new “Tokyo Matcha” brand and will support producers with technical expertise from established matcha-producing regions. Test production is planned to begin in fiscal 2026, with broader participation expected over time. The program also includes market research and future product development initiatives with Tokyo-grown matcha.
THE WHY? The move aims to address declining domestic sencha consumption, aging farming populations and shrinking tea growing areas, while capitalizing on strong global demand for matcha driven by health trends, Japanese cuisine and growing interest from international consumers.
Fountain: Asian Nikkeis
