TOKYO, Feb. 19 – The committee for the UN Declaration for the Rights of Peasants and the Decade of Family Farming 2019-2028 in Japan held a meeting at the members’ office building for the house of councilors in Nagata-cho, Tokyo, on February 18.  The network of academic leaders and civil groups gathered to explain the reality surrounding small farmers and their problems and make sure that they are reflected in future governmental policy, as the UN Decade of Family Farming is starting this year. The meeting was attended by approximately 100 farmers and researchers, who gathered in Tokyo to discuss the matters with government officials. Shushi Okazaki addressed “the proposals … Continue reading →

TOKYO, Feb. 21 – Cases of illegal imports of meat products such as sausages and ham by Chinese travelers to Japan totaled 42,280 in 2018, increasing 1.5 times in three years to mark the largest figure in the last decade, according to the agriculture ministry statistics. Because an African swine fever outbreak has recently been reported in China and there is a fear that the virus could spread through pork products, the ministry has been calling on visitors to follow the rules that ban travelers from bringing in meat products without inspection. The cases of such products illegally entering the country, however, have not declined. The ministry estimates that around … Continue reading →

NIIGATA, Feb. 18 ― Japan is stepping up efforts to host a meeting of G20 agriculture ministers on May 11 and 12 in Niigata, Niigata prefecture. Agriculture Minister Takamori Yoshikawa made a visit on Feb. 17 to the G20 conference site in Niigata and exchanged views with Niigata Governor Hideyo Hanazumi and Niigata Mayor Yaichi Nakahara. During the G20 agriculture ministers’ meeting, Niigata prefecture is expected to demonstrate its automated farm systems such as unmanned tractors. Osaka will host the G20 summit in June.