Representatives of agricultural cooperative (JA) organizations, led by Choe Okuno, president of JA-ZENCHU (Central Union of Agricultural Cooperatives), paid a courtesy call on Yuji Yamamoto, newly appointed Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), at MAFF’s office in Kasumigaseki, Tokyo on August 5.
Choe Okuno, JA-ZENCHU’s president and representatives of national business organizations of agricultural cooperatives kicked off a dialogue with MAFF’s new Minister Yuji Yamamoto on August 5. (Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo)
inister Yamamoto and delegates of the JA group shared a common perspective of developing Japanese agriculture into a growth-oriented industry. They also agreed to promote close dialogue between themselves by meeting together on a regular basis.
At the meeting with MAFF’s new leader, JA-ZENCHU’s president Okuno congratulated Yuji Yamamoto on joining the new Cabinet as the Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
Minister Yamamoto responded to the leader of the JA group by saying he will cooperate with the group. The Minister further mentioned it would be necessary for MAFF to sweep away farmers’ anxiety about the effects of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) free trade agreement.
“Minister Yamamoto proposed MAFF and our JA group should work together to develop agriculture into a growth-oriented industry. We will continue to do our best. So I replied,” Choe Okuno, JA-ZENCHU president, told reporters after the meeting with the Minister.