Category Archives: Farm Policy

Japan’s Shinano Gold apple is set to go global with yello brand

TOKYO, March. 13 ― Nagano prefecture has signed an agreement with two Italy’s cooperatives for the exclusive permanent production and marketing license of its Shinano Gold apple in five countries of the south hemisphere such as New Zealand and South Africa. The variety was originally created in Nagano from a cross between the Golden Delicious and the Senshu and is marketed under the yello brand, highlighting its distinctive color. Nagano prefecture has already an agreement in 2016 with VOG, the Association of South Tyrolean Fruit Growers’ Cooperatives, and VI.P, the Association of Val Venosta Fruit Growers’ Cooperatives, for the exclusive permanent production and marketing license for all of Europe and … Continue reading

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Multilingual booking system boosts foreigners in rural Japan

TOKYO, March. 19 ― Japan’s online booking system for farm stays in rural villages should provide versions in foreign languages, because the number of foreign travelers in the country has grown five times, the agriculture ministry has said. According to a survey conducted by the agriculture ministry, 63 villages that launched multilingual versions for farm stay booking accommodated 1,547 foreign visitors on average per village in 2017. On the other hand, 142 villages that were available only in Japanese for online booking systems totaled 314 foreign on average per village. It appears foreign tourists who do not speak Japanese face difficulties to book accommodations in rural Japan. The Japanese agriculture … Continue reading

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Trump’s remarks on TPP prompts opposition to urge government to reaffirm its stance on trade talks

TOKYO, May 30 – The opposition parties urged the government on May 29 to reaffirm its position concerning bilateral trade talks with the United States, after U.S. President Donald Trump said during his visit to Tokyo that he is not bound by anything. A joint statement issued by the two nations in September says that regarding Japan’s farm produce, “outcomes related to market access as reflected in Japan’s previous economic partnership agreements constitute the maximum level,” indicating that Japan will not open its markets beyond the level agreed upon under the Trans-Pacific Partnership deal. In a news conference in Tokyo on May 27, however, Trump said: “I have nothing to … Continue reading

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Japan to cut wheat import prices on low freight costs and TPP

TOKYO, March. 9 ― Japan will slash its sales prices for imported wheat by 1.7 percent from April, due to a drop in freight costs and a cut in the country’s mark-up prices following the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement. The agriculture ministry announced on March 8 that it will set the weighted average selling prices for five varieties at 54,630 yen a metric ton. Japan has cut its mark-up prices on imported wheat, a move to lower the cost of imported wheat for Japanese millers and help them to compete with wheat imports. Japan is one of the world’s largest wheat importing country, with 90 percent of 6 million metric … Continue reading

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Executive of ruling Liberal Democratic Party expresses hope for China to ease ban on Japanese food imports

BEIJING, April 30 – Toshihiro Nikai, secretary-general of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, said during his visit to Beijing he hopes China will relax imports of Japanese farm products introduced following the 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident. “There is hope,” Nikai said during a news conference held on April 29 at the Japanese Embassy in Beijing. “We will offer cooperation as much as we can to pave the way (for this goal).” “Responding to many farmers’ expectations is one of the party’s most important issues,” he told reporters, stressing the LDP’s stance of attaching importance on agricultural policies. During his visit to China between April 24 and 29, Nikai urged the … Continue reading

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