【Editorial】 Abe’s growth strategy needs a shift from an all-out emphasis on efficiency (June 15, 2013)

  Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s Cabinet adopted its growth strategy goals and fiscal policy blueprints on Friday, June 14, aimed at pulling the nation out of prolonged deflation and paving the way for economic revitalization. We appreciate the government’s recognition that the nation’s recovery is not possible without restoration of the agricultural sector, but we cannot overlook the fact that the government places high priority on Japan’s participation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership free-trade talks. This contradicts completely its policy of emphasizing the importance of agriculture, and even leads the agricultural sector to further deterioration. In order to revitalize the nation, the government must swiftly withdraw from the TPP negotiations and … Continue reading

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【News】 Agricultural cooperative in Fukui begins production and sales of electricity using solar energy (June 14, 2013)

  JA Hanasaku Fukui, an agricultural cooperative in Awara, Fukui Prefecture, began selling electricity to Hokuriku Electric Power starting Tuesday, June 11, becoming the first agricultural cooperative in Fukui to sell electricity using solar power. In April, the cooperative installed 1,176 solar panels on a 930-square-meter area of the flat roof of its distribution center in Yamamuro, Awara. The cooperative introduced the system in line with the government’s feed-in tariff scheme for renewable energy, a law which requires utilities to purchase electricity generated from five renewable energy sources at a fixed price for a set length of time. The panels together have a generating capacity of 111 kilowatts, and can … Continue reading

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【News】 Message-printed mangoes on sale for Father’s Day gifts (June 14, 2013)

An agricultural cooperative in Saito, Miyazaki Prefecture (JA Saito), started selling message-printed mangoes in a trial at a fruit store in Tokyo. The mangoes, intended as gifts for Father’s Day, are available in a gift box containing two, one with a message “Thanks Dad” and the other with “Happy Father’s Day” printed on the surface in Japanese. The messages are printed on mangoes by jetting white ink made from titanium oxide used in food additives. JA Saito borrowed a printing machine from Kishu Giken Kogyo, a Wakayama-based manufacturer of industrial inkjet printers, and prints messages at the production area after receiving purchase orders. The mangoes are available in two types … Continue reading

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【Editorial】 JA’s anti-TPP campaign to strengthen ties across the border (June 14, 2013)

  A delegation representing the Japanese agricultural industry recently visited Washington to gather information and exchange views with agricultural groups and government officials of the United States concerning the Trans-Pacific Partnership free-trade talks. The delegation stressed the fact that there are people in the U.S. who are opposed to the TPP scheme, noting that the Central Union of Agricultural Cooperatives (JA-Zenchu) and the National Farmers Union representing family farmers in the U.S. jointly issued a statement to express strong concern over the TPP talks. Their action showed that farmers worldwide can cooperate to realize coexistence of farming in different countries. JA-Zenchu has a significant role to play in warning of … Continue reading

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【News】 The Upper House committee to call for maintenance of tariffs on key farm products in its letter to US (June 13, 2013)

  The Upper House committee on agriculture, forestry and fisheries decided to send to the United States government and Congress the English version of its resolution adopted in April regarding the Trans-Pacific Partnership free-trade talks, committee members said Wednesday, June 12. Trade agreements, including the TPP scheme, do not go into effect even after the governments’ negotiations are concluded unless the Diet ratifies them. By sending their resolution to the U.S. which leads the TPP negotiations, Japanese lawmakers aim to convey the clear message in the resolution that the Japanese Diet does not accept elimination of tariffs on key agricultural products such as rice and wheat. The committee’s board members … Continue reading

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