Category Archives: Farm Policy

Japan looks to slash farm support related to TPP agreement

TOKYO, Oct. 18 — Japan’s finance ministry has called for a cut in the budget allocated to farm support. This includes programs to help adjust to increased agricultural food products entering Japan following the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement. The ministry’s fiscal system council, which advises the finance minister, stressed on Oct. 17 it wants to review agricultural support programs related to the TPP, as the United States pulled out of the regional trade deal in January. And the council’s intention goes beyond the TPP. In July, Tokyo and Brussels reached a political deal on the Japan-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). The governing party as well as farm lobby groups have stepped … Continue reading

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US Vice President shows interest in trade talks with Japan

TOKYO, Oct. 18 — The United States has reiterated a strong interest in pursuing a new bilateral trade agreement with Japan during a high-level meeting, according to informed sources. Japan’s Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso met U.S. Vice President Mike Pence in the second round of Japan-the U.S. Economic Dialogue that took place on Oct. 16 in Washington, DC. During the meeting, they made some progress on bilateral trade issues, including the lifting of restrictions on Japanese persimmon and on U.S. potatoes from Idaho. Tokyo also agreed to streamline testing procedures for American automobile exports. “Both sides affirmed that they would intensify work to achieve further progress in the near … Continue reading

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Chubu Centrair Airport can now inspect Japanese-grown food

TOKYO, Oct. 8 — Japanese inspectors have set up a service counter for plant and animal quarantine within the terminals at Chubu Centrair International Airport, the main gateway for the central Japan. That will make it much easier for foreign visitors to have Japanese-grown fruits and vegetables inspected and obtain relevant certification before taking them to their home countries, the agriculture ministry said. Previously, such a quarantine service was located far from the departure and arrival terminals at airports, and it has been time-consuming for travelers to get inspection certificates. The government is looking to promote Japanese-grown agriculture products overseas, and it has installed a quarantine service counter within terminals … Continue reading

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Japan and Hong Kong sign agreement to promote Japan’s food exports

TOKYO, Oct. 3 – Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) agreed on Oct. 2 to strengthen cooperation aimed at boosting Japan’s exports of food, farm and marine products to Hong Kong. Agriculture minister Ken Saito and HKTDC Executive Director Margaret Fong signed a memorandum with additional clauses for cooperation, including promotion of Japanese cuisine, at the ministry in Tokyo the same day. Hong Kong is the world’s largest exporter of Japanese food and agriculture products. The ministry and the council signed a memorandum on export promotion in 2012 to recover Japan’s exports which had been reduced after the Fukushima No. 1 … Continue reading

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Less Japan table rice planted this year; stable price expected

TOKYO, Sept. 30 — Japan’s agriculture ministry estimates less acreage of table rice has been planted this year, even below the target, thanks to a shift in production from table rice to other crops. The planting acreage for table rice in 2017/18 declined by 11,000 hectares from a year earlier to 1.37 million hectares, according to the latest rice outlook released by the ministry on Sept. 29. This was below the target of 1.38 million hectares. Total rice stocks are projected at 1.82 million metric tons at the end of June 2018, if the planting acreage for table rice this year is within the target, the ministry said. That’s good … Continue reading

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