Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare organized a direct selling of farm products and other goods produced by disabled people at their work facilities in a “Marche of Agriculture-Welfare Collaboration” opened at the plaza of JR Yurakucho Station in Tokyo on May 29-30.
The significance of collaboration between agriculture and welfare was demonstrated through the direct selling of those products at the Marche.
18 organizations and corporations respectively set up direct sales stands at the plaza to sell fresh farm products and processed foods.
Yuki Saito, working for an agricultural corporation at Tokorozawa-shi, Saitama prefecture, joined the selling at the Marche with her wheelchair as a staff member and devoted herself to face-to-face sales.
More than 13 thousand people gathered in the Plaza during the two days. Japan’s first lady Akie Abe showed up at the Marche on May 30 to encourage the disabled people.
The Government of Japan has been promoting collaboration between agriculture and welfare, expecting the agricultural sector will play a more significant role in employing disabled people as well as supporting their independent living.