This is one of our favorites! Niku Jaga is a popular beef dish in Japan. The crockpot works well. The sauce is thinner than American-style stews, but it is very sweet and tasty.
we added Japanese mushrooms; Japanese also add dashi (fish paste) as well konyaku.

2 lbs beef stew meat
1 cup water
1/2 cup Japanese sake (dry white wine)
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 lb baby carrots
3 medium potatoes, peeled and chopped
1 white onion, diced

Put all into crock pot and cook on low 10-12 hours or on high 4-6 hours.
Stir before serving.