Revised Act on Protection of the Names of Specific Agricultural, Forestry and Fishery Products and Foodstuffs or Geographical Indication (GI) Act was put into effect on December 26, 2016.
The revised GI Act makes it possible for the Japanese government to protect names of farm and other primary industry products mutually with governments of other countries through an international agreement.
Under the latest system of the revised Act, local producers will find it unnecessary to individually make an application to a foreign government concerned for GI protection of their products.
It is expected not only that the GI protection will be more guaranteed in the overseas market, but also that sales of brand commodities produced by Japanese farmers will further increase in many countries.
A common rule on mutual GI protection with other countries was set up through negotiation on the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade pack and the Japanese government recently revised its GI Act so as to join an international system of the mutual protection.
The revision of the Act also aims at preparing for negotiations with the European Union on the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).
GI protection has been one of controversial issues at the EPA negotiation between Japan and EU. The latest revision of the GI Act will make it possible for the Japanese government to have an agreement with EU on the mutual GI protection.
Twenty four products have been registered with Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries under the GI Act. They include “Yubari Melon,” “Kobe Beef” and “Tokachi Kawanishi Nagaimo (Chinese yam or Dioscorea polystachya).”
Fake products of Japanese brand farm commodities have been on some overseas markets. GI protection is expected to be helpful for Japanese producers to sell their genuine products to international consumers.