Category Archives: Farm Policy

TOKYO, Aug. 6 – Japan’s calorie-based food self-sufficiency rate was 38 percent in fiscal 2019, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries announced on Aug. 5. The ratio was up 1 percentage point from the record low of 37 percent in fiscal 2018, rising for the first time in 11 years since fiscal 2008 thanks to improved wheat yields. The rate of increase was small, however, reflecting a decline in rice consumption, and meeting the government target of increasing the rate to 45 percent by fiscal 2030 remains a challenge. The food self-sufficiency rate is an indicator to show how much a nation can cover the food it consumes with … Continue reading →

TOKYO, Aug. 4 – The Plant Protection Station of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has been alerting the public on suspicious packages of seeds sent from abroad, saying it has been receiving inquiries from people across the nation who said such packages were delivered to them although they have not made any orders. “If you receive seeds unexpectedly, you must not open the packages nor plant the seeds on fields, gardens or planters. Please consult authorities,” said an official of the plant quarantine station. According to the agriculture ministry, a number of cases were reported nationwide since June in which small plastic bags containing dozens of seeds are … Continue reading →

TOKYO, Jul. 31 – Japan’s imports of meat products amounted to 1.04 million tons in the period between January and June this year, a record high since data became available in 1988, according to trade statistics released on July 30. Shipments increased especially from countries with which Japan signed a major trade agreement. Low-priced imported meat products are expanding their share in the market for processed meat and ingredients for frozen food, as the new coronavirus outbreak has prompted consumers to increase purchases of meat products to eat at home. The total shipments of beef, pork and chicken from abroad, excluding prepared meat products, reached 1,040,591 tons in the first … Continue reading →

TOKYO, May 29 – The number of agriculture, forestry, and fisheries staff at local and prefecture governments keeps declining. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan, the number of officials in charge of the primary sector in municipal and prefecture governments dropped by more than 20% in 15 years. In 2019, the number of officials in general administrative jobs increased slightly, but the officials working to support the primary sector declined notably. It’s essential to enhance local governments’ structure, train more individuals, and improve work efficiency to solve problems and assist people in the primary industry. Yet the reality is vise versa. The statistics are based … Continue reading →