Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has instructed Agriculture Minister Yuji Yamamoto to initiate measures to help farmers adjust to new competition from agricultural imports.
His move comes as Japan and the EU are gearing up to seal a free trade deal early next month.
Speaking at a regular press conference on June 13, Yamamoto told reporters that he had replied to Abe that he will fulfill his duty to protect farmers, but he declined to discuss the ongoing negotiations.
Many experts believe it is an indication that Tokyo is now ready to swallow a bitter trade pill, raising alarms among Japanese farmers that it could impact them.