| HIROSHIMA, Jul. 22 – Agricultural and dairy farmers want to live ordinary lives. On July 21, dairy, rice, and vegetable farmers from Hiroshima Prefecture held a tractor demonstration, which they referred to as the “Peasant Uprising,” in Kitahiroshima Town, Hiroshima Prefecture, to urge the importance of realizing sustainable agriculture. The event was attended by approximately 70 people from all over Hiroshima, with producers and consumers united in calling for, for example, increased milk consumption.
A total of 22 vehicles, including tractors, light-duty trucks, and a medi-car for heatstroke prevention, with flags that read “Income Compensation for All Farmers” and so on, marched approximately two kilometers, with other participants on foot carrying banners with messages. Miwa Nishihara, a 45-year-old female dairy farmer in Kitahiroshima Town, led the demonstration. “This may be a small step, but we could unite and show our pride as farmers,” she said with tears in her eyes, and emphasized the importance of establishing reasonable prices for agricultural and livestock products. A tractor demonstration was also held in Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture, on the same day. According to the Reiwa Peasant Uprising Committee, the movement to hold “Peasant Uprisings” has spread to 20 prefectures, with some already planning to have ones.  The farmers’ demonstration led by Nishihara started at a local agricultural cooperative office and proceeded around the town hall. (In Kitahiroshima Town, Hiroshima Prefecture) |