The meeting of Japan-China Agricultural Products Trade Council was held in Tokyo on September 13. Participants of the meeting represented respective governments of the two countries, Japanese Igusa (rush grass) producers’ organization, Japanese importing companies of Igusa Tatami mats, and Chinese Tatami mats exporting companies.
The participants of the two countries exchanged the latest information on production of Igusa and Tatami mats, demands for these products, and their volume of trade between Japan and China.
They wrapped up the meeting by confirming that it would be more necessary for them to take measures necessary to boost consumption of rush grass products as well as stimulate demands for the products in respective countries, while demands for the Igusa products are weakening in both countries.
At the meeting, the Japanese governmental officials explained their measures adopted for banning illegal imports of Tatami mats made with a variety of Igusa named “Hinomidori,” since the plant breeding right of the rush grass was granted to the Kumamoto Prefectural Government in Japan and has been held by the Prefectural Government.
Seiichi Kaku, president of the National Federation of Igusa Producers’ Organizations in Japan, representing Yatsushiro Agricultural Cooperative in Kumamoto prefecture, requested the Chinese participants to provide necessary guidance to stakeholders in their country by saying “Hinomidori is a special variety of Igusa developed for survival of Igusa producers in Kumamoto prefecture. The Government of China is requested to continuously call attention of producers and traders in China to the trade rules.”