The government’s regulatory reform council, chaired by Sumitomo Corp. Senior Adviser Motoyuki Oka, decided on Thursday, September 12, 49 items to discuss in five working groups. Eight items are related to the agricultural sector, including the role of Japan Agricultural Cooperatives and regional agricultural committees, and relaxing requirements for setting up agricultural enterprises. The council plans to reach conclusion by the end of this year, earlier than the previously-set deadline of June next year, in order to reflect the results in a plan to be created by the headquarters for the revitalization of the agricultural industry and regional economies, headed by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
The council adopted the eight items based on the decision made on Tuesday, September 10, by its agricultural working group, and showed the reason for adopting each of the items.
As for JA, the council decided to discuss compliance reform, saying that the future role and purposes of agricultural cooperatives should be considered. They also said they will verify the role of JA in making and implementing agricultural policies, and discuss equalizing JA with other private organizations. Details will be worked out by the agricultural working group.
The council also discussed the role of farmland consolidation bank. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries is working on legislating a plan for farmers to decide on whom they should entrust the consolidated farmland in their region. A number of council members expressed opposition to the plan, out of fear that if the decision is to be made by a small group of farmers, it would discourage new entries into farming business.
The council was expected to reach conclusion on the farmland consolidation bank when they meet on Thursday, September 19. Oka told a press conference after the meeting on Thursday, September 12, that it is necessary to make the council’s opinion clear on the system to increase new farmers, the authority and responsibility of people related to the bank and who should become members of the steering committee.
Issues related to the agricultural industry to be discussed in other working groups, such as one on entrepreneurship, include facilitating procedures concerning food processing and exports, as well as mobile catering business.
(Sept. 13, 2013)