Horticulture Professor Dr Katzuhiro Matsumoto has carried out research on the Bramley apple in North England, the Nottingham Post reported on 14 November.
He studied the science of the apple and its cultural value to the British people, as well as methods of caring for the orchards. In Japan, he said, apples are considered just food, not a cultural product.
As part of his fact-finding visit, Matsumoto opened the Bramley Festival and Food Fair in Southwell, hosted by fruit farmer Suzannah Starkey and her family.