Author Archives: The Japan Agricultural News

【Focus】 Bumpy road ahead for domestic agriculture industry (Oct. 7, 2015)

  TPP agreement: five key items Takanori Okabe, Satomi Tamai and Hayato Niki – Atlanta Under the Trans-Pacific Partnership free-trade agreement, Japan accepted large cuts in tariffs and establishment of new import quotas for some of the sensitive agricultural products such as rice and beef. The government has negotiated with the aim of avoiding sharp increases in imports through maintaining government-controlled trading systems and introducing safeguard measures. However, it is unclear whether they are effective enough to prevent damage to the domestic farm industry. Here are what Japan has agreed upon under the TPP talks concerning the five key agricultural items. <Rice> Tariff-free quotas set for U.S. and Australia Rice … Continue reading

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【News】 Beef, pork tariffs to be cut and low-tariff import quota to be set for dairy products and wheat; highlights of the Trans-Pacific Partnership deal (Oct. 6, 2015)

  Takanori Okabe, Satomi Tamai and Hayato Niki – Atlanta Under the Trans-Pacific Partnership free-trade agreement, which was reached on Monday, Oct. 5, Japan will establish new rice import quotas for the United States and Australia, while largely cutting beef and pork tariffs and the markup – an effective tariff – on wheat imports, it was learned the same day. Japan will also create low-tariff import quotas for powdered skim milk and butter, and increase imports of sugar products. Regarding rice, Japan will set up new tax-free import quotas at 50,000 tons for the U.S. and 6,000 tons for Australia, which will be expanded to 70,000 tons and 8,400 tons, … Continue reading

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【News】 Trans-Pacific Partnership free-trade talks reach broad agreement (Oct. 6, 2015)

  Takanori Okabe, Satomi Tamai and Hayato Niki – Atlanta The 12 member nations of the Trans-Pacific Partnership free-trade talks reached a landmark agreement at a ministerial meeting held in Atlanta on Monday, Oct. 5, which represents a major turning point for Japan’s agriculture in the years to come. As for the most controversial issue of rice, Japan has agreed to establish new import quotas for the United States and Australia totaling 78,400 tons. Under the agreement, Japan will have to further open its markets for other farm products as well. The agreement was reached Monday after marathon negotiating sessions in Atlanta through the weekend over such thorny issues as … Continue reading

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【News】 Can rice milk boost rice consumption? – Low calorie milk made from rice goes excellent with fruits and vegetable – (Oct. 5, 2015)

Rice milk is a grain milk made from rice. Being low in calorie, low in fat and cholesterol-free, it’s starting to gain ground in the Japanese market as a new healthy option for milk particularly among women. Its consumption is growing, and expected to grow further, as major food producers bring out new rice milk products while in-station juice bars adds rice milk beverages on their menu. In the near future in Japan, you’ll be able to buy cow’s milk, soy milk and rice milk anytime, anywhere. Growing popularity A juice bar “Vegeteria, Ecute Ueno” in the JR Ueno Station in Taito-ku, Tokyo, is always crowded with both female and … Continue reading

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【News】 Senior U.S. Congressmen express reservations over TPP agreement (Oct. 2, 2015)

  Takanori Okabe – Atlanta As the ministers of the member nations of the Trans-Pacific Partnership free-trade talks meet in Atlanta with hopes of reaching an agreement, two senior U.S. Congressmen said that even if a TPP deal is concluded, they would not support it if it falls short of Congress’ expectations. They urged negotiators to realize an agreement which benefits the U.S. workers and businesses, apparently pressuring them not to make concessions regarding such thorny issues as the period of patent protection for next-generation biotech drugs and access to dairy markets. Increasing pressure by Congress could make the U.S. government act more harshly in the ministerial meetings. “No one … Continue reading

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