TOKYO, June 30 — Japan’s the most powerful farmers’ co-operative chairman has called for helping farmers deal with the impact of the revised Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), also known as the TPP-11. On June 29, the parliament passed trade bills required to ratify the TPP-11, after the United States pulled out. “We will press the government hard so that farmers are better able to deal with the problems caused by the market opening,” said Toru Nakaya, chairman of the Central Union of Agricultural Cooperatives (JA-ZENCHU). “We will also closely watch agricultural imports and their impacts on farm businesses,” he added. The TPP-11 deal will enter into force 60 days after six … Continue reading →

TOKYO, June 23 — Japan welcomes more countries have expressed an interest in joining the revised Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), also known as the TPP-11, Economy Minister Toshimitsu Motegi has said. At a June 22 press conference, Motegi said that Colombia has informed New Zealand, the depository of the trade pact, of its intention to join the TPP-11 once it comes into force. “I welcome more countries are interested in joining the TPP-11,” Motegi told reporters. TPP-11’s chief negotiators will gather in the mid-July in Hakone, a lake resort near Tokyo. Japan will chair the meeting and it is expected to discuss the procedure on how to add more members to … Continue reading →

TOKYO, June 15 — Japan’s farmers and consumers have gathered in Tokyo’s Chiyoda on June 14, on the day that marked the passage of the revised Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), known as the TPP-11, in the upper house. On the same day, lawmakers started deliberations over the TPP-11 related bills, including measures to compensate farmers. The opposition parties argue potential adverse affects of the TPP-11 on farmers if the agreement is implemented. Civil society organizations such as, Japan Family farmers Movement (NOUMINREN) and Palsystem Consumers’ Co-operative Union joined the protest. Participants were holding signs that read: “Block the TPP-11 related bills.” “We oppose the TPP Plus agenda!” The Abe Administration desperately … Continue reading →

TOKYO, June 14 — Japan’s upper house has approved the revised Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), also known as the TPP-11, despite opposition efforts to threaten the smooth ratification process. In order to complete the ratification process, the governing coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the Komeito Party still needs to pass the TPP-11 related bills, including measures to compensate farmers. But the opposition parties are demanding good deliberations over the related bills, arguing potential adverse affects of the TPP-11 on farmers if the agreement is implemented. The Abe Administration desperately wants to pass the TPP-11 and related bills in the current parliamentary session that ends on June 20, a … Continue reading →