OITA / Oita eyes venison as income source.

OITA / Oita eyes venison as income source

Yomiuri

Japanese deer that often ruin the crops of small farming communities in Oita Prefecture may soon feature on local hotel and restaurant menus as part of the prefectural government's plan to commercialize venison.

The prefectural government is expected to hold a venison-tasting session in mid-November in Yufu, after which market research will be conducted. The government wants to supply the meat to hot spring hotels and restaurants in the city's Yufuincho district, a famed hot spring resort.

According to the prefectural government, since fiscal year 2004, animals and birds have caused damage …