【News】Prime Minister Abe instructs agriculture minister on farmers(June 14, 2017)

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.

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【News】Agricultural Ministry to hold the first workshop for host farmers of “farm stay tour” this autumn (June 11, 2017)

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) plans to start a new program of holding a practical workshop this autumn for the purpose of developing human resources of host farmers for promoting “Noh-Haku” or “farm stay tours” at rural areas in Japan. Farmers and other rural residents with interests in beginning a “farm stay tour business” at their respective houses will be invited to participate in the workshop. The participants in the MAFF special workshop are required to stay at a “developed area” of the farm stay tourism about one month, which has been successful in attracting a number of tourists to its rural community. A dozen of participants … Continue reading

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【News】Ruling party’s Headquarters to work out basic policy for Japan-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (June 10, 2017)

The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) held the first meeting of a headquarters named “Headquarters for Japan EU Economic Partnership Agreement” on June 9, which has been newly set up to cope with ongoing negotiations between Japan and the European Union, while the Japanese government is aiming at a broad agreement with EU in early July. The Headquarters plans to establish LDP’s policy on measures to be taken for possible results of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) talks with EU. The LDP’s policy, including countermeasures against negative impacts on domestic agriculture, is to be proposed to the government by the end of June. Within the Headquarters, five groups of LDP’ … Continue reading

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【News】Ohaganishi-no-Tanada rice terrace dyed to colors of sunset (in Misaki Town, Okayama Prefecture) (Jun 11, 2017)

Ohaganishi-no-Tanada in Misaki Town, Okayama Prefecture, is one of the four rice terraces in Okayama Prefecture that were selected for inclusion in the top 100 most beautiful tanada (rice terraces) in Japan. The terraced rice field is now offering a wonderful view with water filled up to prepare for a new crop and reflections of the sun on the water that constantly change as time passes. Ohaganishi-no-Tanada is the mortar-shaped rice field in the mountain area with approximately 850 pieces in 85 meters. The edges of the rice terraces are as beautiful as contour lines, and when the sun is setting, the water shines, reflecting colors of the sunset. A … Continue reading

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【Opinion】Let the rainbow of cooperatives shine (June 5, 2017)

[By Taichi Kitagawa, Professor of Fukui Prefectural University] “No rain, no rainbows.” This is a Hawaiian saying which is used to describe bad times mean good times are coming. Japan’s agricultural cooperatives (JAs) have been hit by torrential rain in recent years. The government’s intervention in farm coops’ reform efforts goes against the cooperative principles of autonomy and independence which was adopted by the International Co-operative Alliance at its 31st general assembly in 1995. Under the name of growth strategy, the government is trying to forcibly turn JAs into mere entities specializing in agricultural business. Such government control aimed at taking away comprehensiveness and diversity from JAs is a challenge … Continue reading

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