JCP chair calls for nationwide discussion on ways to revitalize Japanese agriculture

Japan Press Weekly

Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

JCP chair calls for nationwide discussion on ways to revitalize Japanese agriculture

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo on March 21 visited the head office of the National Federation of Farmers Movement (Nominren) to explain the proposal for the revitalization of Japanese agriculture that the JCP recently published.

Meeting with Nominren President Shiraishi Jun’nichi and other officials, Shii explained the 4-point JCP proposal emphasizing the point that raising the nation’s food self-sufficiency must have top priority as demand for grains is so high that an increasing number of countries are tightening their exports.

Shii said the JCP will call for its proposal to be used in a nationwide discussion aimed at achieving a national consensus on how to rebuild Japanese agriculture.

Nominren officials said, “We appreciate the JCP proposal as a timely alternative to the Liberal Democratic Party policy, which has reached an impasse, and as the answer to increasing public anxieties about foreign agricultural and food products. It is good that the JCP proposes concrete steps to revitalize Japanese agriculture and improve the country’s food self-sufficiency rate.” They particularly welcomed the emphasis on the importance of maintaining the price support system.

Shii said, “The JCP will work to contribute to building a national consensus by holding symposiums and meetings using the JCP proposal as their base.”

- Akahata, March 22, 2008