ABIRA, HOKKAIDO – Oji Medical Plants Laboratory, a unit of paper manufacturer Oji Holdings, is making progress on growing licorice, a plant used in Chinese herbal medicines, in Japan.

Based in Nayoro, Hokkaido, Oji Medical Plants Laboratory has established a large-scale harvesting system after trial and error. It aims to create a stable, high-quality supply of the plant through domestic production.

Licorice is effective for stopping coughs and reducing inflammation. It is used as an ingredient in some 70% of Chinese herbal medicines sold in Japan, according to the company. It also has applications in cosmetics and food, since it is used to make moisturizers and seasoning.

Japan currently relies on imports from sources including China and Mongolia for most of its licorice supply as the cultivation of medicinal plants in the country has declined since World War II.…