【News】 Japanese government to consider stricter mandatory labeling of GM foods (April 27, 2017)

Posted on 2017-05-01 by The Japan Agricultural News

The Consumer Affairs Agency of Japan is now considering expanding the scope of mandatory labeling of so-called GM foods that contain ingredients derived from genetically modified organisms. Under the mandatory labeling system, eight kinds of agricultural products, including soybean, corn, potato, rapeseed, and cottonseed, are currently subject to the labeling requirement. Furthermore, GM labeling is also required for 33 food items containing ingredients of these 8 kinds of farm crops such as tofu (bean curd), natto (fermented soybeans), miso (soybean paste) and snack food. The Consumer Affairs Agency, however, mandates labeling only for food products whose three largest ingredients by weight contain GM crop substances and the GM substances account … Continue reading →

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【News】 Japan’s Deputy Prime Minister Aso emphasizes difference between TPP multilateral talks and Japan-U.S. bilateral negotiations (April 26, 2017)

Posted on 2017-05-01 by The Japan Agricultural News

Japanese Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso said on April 25 his government will not guarantee the United States to offer deals similar to those agreed in negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) free trade pact if Japan decides to purse a bilateral free trade agreement with the U.S., stressing that Japan’s gains in the bilateral trade talk differ from those in multilateral negotiations. By responding to a question raised at the session of the House of Councilors’ Committee on Financial Affairs, Deputy Prime Minister Aso emphasized the Japanese stance that his administration will not respond a request on removal or cuts of import tariffs of farm products exceeding the level … Continue reading →

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【News】 Japan’s farm minister Yamamoto taking cautious attitude to “eleven-nation TPP” (April 22, 2017)

Posted on 2017-04-28 by The Japan Agricultural News

Yuji Yamamoto, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) of Japan, told the press after the cabinet meeting on April 21 that he will take a cautious attitude toward a proposal on effectuation of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) free trade pact without the United States, which his government is aiming toward, saying “As far as I am concerned, I would like to consider this issue deliberately.” Shinzo Abe’s administration had been negative about looking to implementation of so-called “an 11-nation TPP” without the U.S., but recently changed its position because the U.S. government is unlikely to return to the TPP. MAFF’s Minister Yamamoto also pointed out that the U.S. and … Continue reading →

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【News】 Japan’s Parliamentary group drafting Diet resolution supporting cross-sectoral cooperative legislation (April 21, 2017)

Posted on 2017-04-27 by The Japan Agricultural News

The cross-party Parliamentary Association for Cooperative Development Researches resumed its activities by holding its general assembly on April 20 for the first time in five years since 2012. Cooperative organizations, particularly those of agricultural cooperatives have been under pressure to reform their business systems and the like, meanwhile people living at local areas including depopulated communities are raising their expectation that cooperatives will play a major role for them in various ways. Under such conditions, the Parliamentary Association of Diet members aims at promoting legislation supporting the whole of cooperative movements in the country, instead of sector-wise cooperative laws. For the time being, the Association plans to address immediate challenges … Continue reading →

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【News】 Japanese and U.S. governments agree on key agendas for bilateral economic dialogue at its first round (April 19, 2017)

Posted on 2017-04-26 by The Japan Agricultural News

The first round of Japan-U.S. economic dialogue between Japan’s Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso and U.S. Vice President Mike Pence was held at the prime minister’s office in Tokyo on April 18. When the number two men of Japanese and U.S. governments kicked off the economic dialogue, they did not exchange views in details on key trade issues including automobiles and farm products. In the joint press release published shortly after the meeting, however, the two governments confirmed that they will discuss on a subject of “a bilateral framework for setting high trade and investment standards.” At the press conference held after the meeting, furthermore, U.S. Vice President Mike Pence … Continue reading →

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