US company Dow Chemical has been given the go-ahead to sell a genetically modified corn variety in Japan.

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The Japanese subsidiary of the company said that the Agriculture and Health ministries had determined that Dow’s Herculex I, called a Bt corn for its inclusion of a bacterial gene that fights insect pests, meets the criteria for use in foods and animal feed. As a result, the unit has been given government approval to import the corn into Japan.


Sales in Japan are expected to begin late next year. Dow gained authorisation for Herculex I in the US in June of last year.

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