Author Archives: The Japan Agricultural News

Chairman of Japan’s Central Union of Agricultural Cooperatives says safeguard on frozen beef imports is necessary to protect livestock industry

TOKYO, Aug. 3 – Chairman of the Central Union of Agricultural Cooperatives, known as JA-ZENCHU, Choe Okuno, commented on Japan’s latest safeguard on frozen beef imports from the U.S. and other countries. “The safeguard was imposed automatically by the laws. It’s necessary in order to protect domestic farmers and promote the livestock industry in Japan,” he said. The emergency tariffs on beef imports are triggered when quarterly beef import volume exceeds 117% of that of the previous year. It’s the first time for the safeguard to be imposed on imported beef in 14 years. The Japanese government will raise its tariff on frozen beef from the U.S., Canada, and New … Continue reading

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Agriculture minister calls for U.S.’ understanding for beef safeguard tariff

TOKYO, Aug. 6 – Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Ken Saito said in a group interview with The Japan Agricultural News and other media outlets that Japan will not easily respond to the United States’ request to review an emergency tariff imposed on U.S. frozen beef, nor start negotiating a bilateral free trade agreement. Saito also said he hopes agricultural cooperatives will work to support farmers adapt to the new environment. Q. Looking back to what you have been working for, how do you feel about being appointed to the post of agriculture minister? A. The goal was so far away and the path toward that goal was long and … Continue reading

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Japanese researchers develop the world’s first blue chrysanthemum

  TOKYO, Aug. 7 – A research team of the National Agriculture and Food Research Organization and Suntory Global Innovation Center has finally succeeded in developing the world’s first blue chrysanthemum. Chrysanthemums do not have blue flower varieties in nature, so the researchers used genetic engineering technology, using two types of genes taken from blue-flowering Canterbury bells and butterfly peas to turn chrysanthemum flowers blue. “Now that we can offer more color variations, we hope the demand for chrysanthemums at ceremonial occasions as well as for gifts will grow,” said an organization official. The organization, which has been engaged in the development of blue chrysanthemums since 2001, will conduct further … Continue reading

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Consumer Affairs Agency to require country of origin labeling on all processed foods

TOKYO, Aug. 2 – The Consumer Affairs Agency will require labeling of country of origin for all processed foods starting as early as the end of August. Amid the increase of food imports, the move is aimed at making it easier for consumers to distinguish between foreign products and domestically-produced foods, thus helping boost consumption of Japan-made products. Up till now, only a part of low-processed foods, such as dried mushrooms, were subject to such requirements. There will be a transition period for food companies to adapt to the new system which will fully come into force in April 2022. Under the new system, it will become mandatory for retailers … Continue reading

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【Editorial】 Don’t relax rules on WTO safeguard for farm goods(Aug. 2)

Japan’s Finance Minister Taro Aso has suggested that Tokyo may relax the rules on a special safeguard (SSG), after a surge in frozen beef imports automatically triggered the trade remedy that limits the imports for the first time in 14 years. “Some say it could prolong the timeframe of application for safeguard measure. Surely there’d be some room to revisit procedural requirements,” Aso told reporters on Aug. 01, the day the SSG took effect. This issue, as he said, is to be taken up at the U.S.-Japan Economic Dialogue, which is slated for October in Washington. Aso’s comments are the latest indication that the Japanese government’s position is flexible to … Continue reading

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