The article below is only tangentially related to Kumamoto, but it turns out that the first time liquid baby formula was legally allowed to be consumed in Japan was when it was distributed as aid following the quakes. One thing my parenting experience has taught me is that simply shoveling powdered formula into your infant’s mouth is not … uh … good. (Note to new parents: hot water is required.) Apparently, though, bureaucratic inertia had not kept pace with food sterilization techniques until (briefly, at least) yesterday. So good for you, new parents! One less thing to worry about!
On a similar note, it also turns out that America is sitting on a cheese glut equaling 777,240 cubic meters due to subsidies encouraging production exceeding demand. Meanwhile, here in Japan, we’re lucky to get a stick of butter. Think maybe the two sides could allow for the transport of a few thousand cubic meters of cheese? - William
http://www.vox.com/2016/10/13/13268980/cheese-glut-united-states
