Akira Banzai (left), president of the Central Union of Agricultural Co-operatives (JA-Zenchu), speaks with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the prime minister’s office in Tokyo on Tuesday, April 7.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe reportedly said on Tuesday, April 7, he will “protect what should be protected,” referring to key farm products which the government has pledged to exempt from tariff cuts in the Trans-Pacific Partnership free-trade negotiations.
In a meeting with Akira Banzai, president of the Central Union of Agricultural Co-operatives (JA-Zenchu), Abe also stressed that his administration shares the same goals as the JA group, which are to increase farmers’ income and revitalize rural areas.
He said exports of farm products will expand further in the future, adding that he hopes to make such a situation an opportunity to proceed with agricultural reform together with the JA group to build a stable agriculture.
Banzai said the JA group will make the utmost effort to conduct self-reform for the sake of its members, explaining the group plans to adopt its policies at a national convention scheduled in October.
After the meeting, Banzai told reporters that he conveyed to Abe farmers’ concerns over reports that the government is considering making concessions in the TPP negotiations concerning the rice market. He said he strongly urged Abe to protect the key farm items, as compromising in the talks would be contradictory to the government’s decision to revise the rice production adjustment policy and also to its basic plan aimed at improving the food self-sufficiency rate. Abe promised he would firmly protect the agriculture, according to Banzai.
It was the first time for Abe and Banzai to meet since Banzai made requests to Abe on Feb. 21 last year regarding the TPP talks.
Banzai was accompanied by JA-Zenchu’s Vice President Toshiaki Tobita, Vice President Toru Nakaya, Yoshimi Nakano, chairman of the National Federation of Agricultural Co-operative Associations (JA Zen-Noh), Keiichi Tabata, deputy chairman of the National Mutual Insurance Federation of Agricultural Co-operatives (JA-Kyosairen), Norinchukin Bank President and CEO Yoshio Kono, Toyokuni Kakurai, chairman of the National Welfare Federation of Agricultural Co-operative Associations (JA-Zenkouren) and JA-Zenchu senior executive Shigeo Fuji.
(April 8, 2015)