Iwate Prefectural Union of Agricultural Cooperatives is launching a new project named “Better Living Activities Promotion Program,” in which the Prefectural Union will provide a financial assistance to residents’ associations aiming to revitalize their rural community at grass-roots level. The Prefectural Union, JAs’ apex organization in Iwate prefecture, plans to assist local residents to set up their own “regional management organization” for coping with problems faced by themselves in their rural life, which organization the Abe Administration regards as a core body for revitalizing local regions in the country. At the expert panel meeting held by the Government, it was recommended for the Administration to encourage cooperation between the regional … Continue reading →

Students visiting Fukushima prefecture have been increasing after some years passed since the nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant of Tokyo Electric Power Company took place at the eastern part of the prefecture in March 2011. Just after the disaster hit Fukushima, the prefecture saw a considerable decline in tourists. A number of junior high schools and high schools in other prefectures have resumed organizing educational tours such as school trips and camping school tours visiting the Fukushima prefecture. According to the Prefectural Government, the number of school tourists visiting the prefecture has recovered to 70 percent of the pre-disaster level. Some schools are adding a disaster-study … Continue reading →

The meeting of Japan-China Agricultural Products Trade Council was held in Tokyo on September 13. Participants of the meeting represented respective governments of the two countries, Japanese Igusa (rush grass) producers’ organization, Japanese importing companies of Igusa Tatami mats, and Chinese Tatami mats exporting companies. The participants of the two countries exchanged the latest information on production of Igusa and Tatami mats, demands for these products, and their volume of trade between Japan and China. They wrapped up the meeting by confirming that it would be more necessary for them to take measures necessary to boost consumption of rush grass products as well as stimulate demands for the products in … Continue reading →