Category Archives: Farm Policy

Japan lifts safeguard measure against US frozen beef imports

TOKYO, March 30 — Japan was set to lift its safeguard measure on frozen beef imports from April 1, making the U.S. more competitive with other meat suppliers such as Australia. The agriculture ministry announced March 29 that Tokyo was to reduce the frozen beef tariff rate from 50 percent to 38.5 percent in the fiscal year starting April 1. In August, rising imports of frozen beef triggered the safeguard measure for the remainder of the 2017 fiscal year through March 31. Yet, Japan has retained its safeguard mechanism in the event of a sharp rise in beef imports to exporting countries that do not currently have free trade agreements … Continue reading

Posted in Farm Policy, Trade Talks | Comments Off on Japan lifts safeguard measure against US frozen beef imports

Milk price hits 10-year low as retailers use the product as loss leader

TOKYO, March 26 – Retail prices of milk remain low, with the government statistics showing the price of a 1-liter milk carton posting a 10-year low of 208 yen in Tokyo in February. This is because supermarkets, eager to attract customers amid rising wholesale prices of food products, are making milk the loss leader, given its high frequency of purchase. In an effort to rectify such bargain sales, the farm ministry started working on compiling a guideline for milk sales by the end of this month. Tokyu Store, a supermarket chain in Tokyo’s Meguro Ward which operates 81 stores in the Kanto region, cut prices of two milk products at … Continue reading

Posted in Farm Policy, Food & Agriculture | Comments Off on Milk price hits 10-year low as retailers use the product as loss leader

Japan’s average temperature may rise 5.4 deg. C by 2099: study

TOKYO, March 2 — Japan’s average temperature is projected to rise by up to 5.4 degrees Celsius by 2099, which could cause more frequent natural disasters and wreak havoc on agriculture, a recent report by the environment ministry said. The report called for a long-term plan for dealing with some impacts of climate change, including on agriculture. The report foresees a decline in rice yield and quality. Rice production will continuously decrease by the end of this century under almost any climate change scenario, it said. It also noted the weather might become hotter, wetter or, perhaps, even colder in Japan. That would make plant diseases and pests move into … Continue reading

Posted in Farm Policy, Others | Comments Off on Japan’s average temperature may rise 5.4 deg. C by 2099: study

Japan’s agriculture exports rise in January, led by wagyu beef

TOKYO, March 10 — Japan’s agricultural exports jumped 35% year-on-year in January, led by sales of wagyu beef to major exporting markets and fruits as treats for the Chinese New Year holidays. The exports of products such as agri-food, meat and seafood totaled 62.4 billion yen in January, according to data from the agriculture ministry. Wagyu beef exports doubled to 1.5 billion yen due to rising demand in the U.S. as well as Taiwan lifting a 16-year import ban. Apples exports also rose 70% to 3.2 billion yen, as fruit production has recovered from bad weather. Rice exports grew 32% and pork exports surged 52% in the same month from … Continue reading

Posted in Farm Policy, Food & Agriculture | Comments Off on Japan’s agriculture exports rise in January, led by wagyu beef

Japan’s PM Abe not open to renegotiating TTP in favor of US

TOKYO, March 15 — Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has made it clear that he is not open to renegotiation that would shift the balance of benefits further in favor of the U.S. in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). “The TPP-11 deal is a delicate piece of glass work,” Abe told the upper house budget committee on March 14. When he was asked to comment on the possibility of renegotiating the TPP to bring the U.S. back in, Abe said: “I do not agree to any deal that is not in the nation’s best interests.” In January, U.S. President Donald Trump said that he might consider rejoining the trade pact, if … Continue reading

Posted in Farm Policy, Trade Talks | Comments Off on Japan’s PM Abe not open to renegotiating TTP in favor of US