Abe renews pledges to advance farm reform and trade deals

TOKYO, Jan. 23 — Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has renewed his pledges for agricultural reform and early entry into force of recently-signed trade deals at an opening of a new session of parliament. But he didn’t specifically mention his intention to overhaul the nation’s largest farmers’ group as he used to. In a Jan. 22 policy speech at the first regular parliamentary session of the year, Abe said: “I will push to reform the entire sectors of agriculture, forestry and fisheries.” He also said he will seek early entry into force of the Comprehensive Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Japan-EU free trade agreement. “Japan, as a standard bearer … Continue reading

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Japan’s rice flour group promotes gluten-free with new labels

TOKYO, Jan. 14 — The Japan Rice Flour Association (JRFA) is introducing two new labels for rice flour products: Non-Gluten and Recommendation. It aims to give consumers clarity and to capture an expected increase in demand for gluten-free products. The JRFA, founded in May 2017, consists of Japanese flour millers and farmers. As the incidence of gluten sensitivity and irritable bowel syndrome increases, the demand for rice flour as a gluten-free alternative to wheat products, such as bread and snacks, is expected to rise. This has prompted the JRFA to make a move. Last December, it created a standardization system that certifies gluten-free products. It is now in the process … Continue reading

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TPP-11 members to sign revised trade pact on March 8 in Chile

TOKYO, Jan. 24 — One year after President Donald Trump pulled the United States out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), the remaining 11 members have ironed out differences and agreed to sign a revised pact on March 8 in Chile. Senior TPP-11 officials settled the remaining differences in the new TPP — the Comprehensive Progressive TPP (CPTPP) — at two-day talks in Tokyo that ended on Jan. 23. “We want to get the agreement to take effect as soon as possible,” Japanese Economy Minister Toshimitsu Motegi told reporters after the meeting. “I’m convinced Canada will sign up.” The CPTPP will come into force after ratification by six of the 11 … Continue reading

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Japan’s Ibaraki farmers push sweet potato exports to Canada

NAMEGATA, Jan. 17 — A Japanese farmers’ group in Ibaraki prefecture has shipped its sweet potatoes to Canada for the first time, aiming to transform themselves from tobacco leaf growers to the new crop exporters. JA Namegata, an agriculture cooperative in Ibaraki prefecture, plans to export 8 metric tons of its sweet potatoes, Beniyuka, to Canada this year. Due to the reduction of tobacco-price supports, farmers in Namegata city have been turning from tobacco to sweet potatoes. They nearly doubled production to 700 acres and more than doubled revenue to 3.7 billion yen in the last 10 years. Last year, they exported their sweet potatoes to Thailand and Malaysia for … Continue reading

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Japan’s flower wholesaler to boost exports with new logistics

OSAKA, Jan. 13 — An Osaka-based wholesaler of cut flowers is to boost exports on the back of a new logistics “cold chain” that ensures quick and efficient transportation to preserve the freshness of high-quality Japanese flowers. Naniwa Flower Auction Co. invested 550 million yen with government support to build the special facility, named Hanako, at 2,335 square meters of space, next to Osaka’s cut flower wholesale market. Hanako is designed to control temperature throughout the logistics for the transport of cut flowers and the duration of delivery. It started operating on Jan. 12. The company exported 1.96 million of stems of flowers in 2017. The exports valued at 240 … Continue reading

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