【News】 Head of the Central Union of Agricultural Cooperatives expresses strong opposition against Japan’s entry into TPP (May 11, 2013)

Posted on 2013-05-11 by The Japan Agricultural News

  Akira Banzai, head of the Central Union of Agricultural Cooperatives (JA Zenchu), stressed Friday, May 10, that the group is “dead set against” Japan’s entry into the Trans-Pacific Partnership free-trade negotiations. “The TPP could hinder national sovereignty, and we have no intention whatsoever to negotiate on conditions,” Banzai said, speaking at the Japan National Press Club. As issues of concern related to the TPP, Banzai listed such possibilities as drastic drop in agricultural production, devastation of agricultural villages and regional cultures, disintegration of functions to protect the national land and its environment and diminution of related industries. He also cited fears for sectors other than agriculture, such as food … Continue reading →

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【Series】 TPP – Underlying motive of the U.S. : report on anti-TPP lawmakers’ visit to the U.S. Part 1 (May 11, 2013)

Posted on 2013-05-11 by The Japan Agricultural News

Part 1; Scrapping tariffs across the board Takanori Okabe In late April, a delegation of National Conference to Consider the TPP, a group of experts and lawmakers who are against Japan’s entry into the Trans-Pacific Partnership free-trade talks, visited the United States to exchange opinions with officials of the U.S. government, Congress and industries concerning the TPP talks. Takanori Okabe of The Japan Agricultural News, who accompanied the delegation, reports on the U.S.’ real intention which surfaced during the visit, including their opposition to allowing exceptions in scrapping tariffs, and on the differences between the recognitions of Japan and the U.S. In the TPP negotiations, there is a basic principle … Continue reading →

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【News】 RCEP negotiations begin with the aim of reaching agreement by 2015; Japan should put forth firm policies to protect its key products (May 10, 2013)

Posted on 2013-05-10 by The Japan Agricultural News

  Satomi Tamai The first round of negotiations for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership free-trade framework began on Thursday, May 9, in Brunei, with 16 countries in the Asia-Pacific region including Japan participating. The nations aim to conclude the negotiations by 2015. Japan has already kicked off negotiations for a free trade agreement with China and South Korea, and one with the European Union. It is also expected to join the negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Partnership talks in the end of July. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s administration has not made clear the policies for engaging in a series of negotiations for various free trade agreements, and establishment of such policies, … Continue reading →

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【News】 Legislation to protect geographical indication for food is on a rough passage, torn between conflicting pressure from US and EU (May 4, 2013)

Posted on 2013-05-04 by The Japan Agricultural News

  Senior Staff Writer, Masaru Yamada Traditional food products which are unique to certain regions have to be protected from counterfeiting. One of the systems used to safeguard such products is the protection of geographical indications or GI. In Japan, the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry has been working on legislating GI protection since last summer, but the procedure has been dead-locked by conflicting interests among the government. Without being able to unravel the tangled situation at home, Japan went on to negotiate separately with the United States and the European Union, which have totally opposite stances regarding GI protection, and are stuck between pressures from both sides. “One of … Continue reading →

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【News】 South Korea strengthens country-of-origin labeling requirements for food products (May 1, 2013)

Posted on 2013-05-01 by The Japan Agricultural News

  Zhezhu Jin The South Korean government plans to expand and strengthen its country of origin labeling system for food starting Friday, June 28. It will increase the number of food items subject for labeling at restaurants. As for processed food, labeling will be required for chili powder used in Kimchi made with Napa cabbage, a national dish of South Korea. Stricter standards will be introduced for beef which can be labeled as domestically produced. The measures are aimed at ensuring consumers’ rights to be informed of the source of food products, as well as making it easier for them to choose domestic products amid increasing liberalization of imports of … Continue reading →

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