US wants Japan to change beef safeguard, auto regulations

TOKYO, Jan. 27 — Japanese and U.S. officials have met in Tokyo to identify trade issues relevant to the two countries, ahead of a third round of Japan-U.S. Economic Dialogue to be held in spring. During the bilateral talks that ended on Jan. 26, Washington’s demands echoed what President Donald Trump has been preaching — lowering the U.S. trade deficit with Japan. Washington demanded Tokyo change requirements in its safeguard mechanism for frozen U.S. beef imports to avoid triggering a raise in tariffs. Under World Trade Organization (WTO) rules, Japan has the right to invoke the safeguard to restrict frozen beef imports temporarily when the imports rise more than 17% … Continue reading

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Japan’s flower exports hit 13.5 billion yen in 2017 as bonsai becomes increasingly popular

TOKYO, Feb. 1 — In 2017, Japan’s flower exports reached 13.5 billion yen, according to the statistics released by Ministry of Finance of Japan. It grew 50% from the previous year, exceeding 10 billion yen for the first time. The growth was driven by the growing popularity of bonsai miniature potted plant in overseas markets, which lead to the large shipment of garden trees and bonsai miniature potted plants mainly in China. Exports of garden trees and bonsai plants accounted for 90% and saw an annual jump of 57% over the previous year to 12.6 billion yen. Japan’s biggest flower market overseas was China, to whom it exported the products … Continue reading

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【Booklet】Beginning of agricultural cooperatives <prologue>(January 23, 2016)

After the defeat, food shortage attacked people After the Second World War, General Headquarters (GHQ) of Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers, which occupied Japan, on December 9, 1945 (Showa 20), in order to wipe out the rural feudalism, issued “farmers release command (memorandum of agrarian reform)”. It abolished nogyokai (agricultural institution) turned into national policy institutions, and ordered the establishment of “nogyokyodokumiai (agricultural cooperatives)” for farmers by farmers of the farmers to the Japanese government. We follow the decisive actions of agrarian reform and founded process of nogyokyodokumiai (agricultural cooperatives) while watching the process of negotiation between Government of Japan and GHQ. On August 20, 1945, 5 days later … Continue reading

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【Booklet】Beginning of agricultural cooperatives <Agrarian reform ①> (January 23, 2016)

Matsumura, Minister of Agriculture, expressed determination Ministerial personnel by Prime Minister Kijūrō Shidehara ( 1872 ~ 1951 ) was focused on personnel selection of Minister of Agriculture, Forestry. Kenzo Matsumura ( 1883 ~ 1971 ), Minister of Health and Welfare of Higashikuni Cabinet, was appointed the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry. Matsumura was known as most familiar with agricultural policy in the political world. Matsumura was called to the cabinet formation headquarter at Prime Minister’s Office. Matsumura was told his Post and answered, “Current food problem is difficult. I would like to consult some person.” He went out about an hour. The person was Tadaharu Machida ( 1863 ~ 1946 … Continue reading

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【Booklet】Beginning of agricultural cooperatives <Agrarian reform ②> ( February 6, 2016)

Lone struggle of Matsumura, Agriculture Minister In October 1945, 4 days later after appointment of Kenzo Matsumura, Agriculture Minister, the draft of the agrarian reform (draft of Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry) had been completed. Shiro Tohata( 1907 ~ 1980 ), Agricultural policy manager, mainly created it. The draft consists of three main points as follows; 1) to establish owner farmers, 2) to change tenant payment in kind into cash payment, while maintaining of controling tenant farmlands and own farmlands, 3) democratic reorganization of municipal agricultural land committee (Committee members consist of each 10 people of landowners, owner farmers, and the local tenant farmers, elected by sectors. Chairman elected committee … Continue reading

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