August 28, 2011

About 1,300 farmers and consumers on August 27 marched in demonstration through Tokyo’s well-known shopping district Ginza, chanting “No to participating in the TPP (Trans-Pacific Partnership) Agreement!”

The demonstration was hosted by an organizing committee consisting of 24 organizations, including the National Confederation of Trade Unions (Zenroren), the Consumers Union of Japan, and the Japan Housewives Association (Shufuren).

Earlier on the day, 1,300 people held a rally at Hibiya Public Hall near the Ginza district.

In the rally, a representative of the Central Union of Agricultural Co-operatives (JA Zenchu) stated that it would be impossible to strike a suitable balance between the TPP free-trade pact and the government plan to increase Japan’s food self-sufficiency rate to 50% from the current 40%. He said, “JA Zenchu will fight with all its strength until the government gives up participating in negotiations for the TPP.”

Pointing out that the government may announce Japan’s entry into the multilateral agreement during the annual meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation in November, Zenroren President Daikoku Sakuji said, “Our struggle against the TPP is approaching a crucial stage.”

Suzuki Nobuhiro, a professor of agriculture at the University of Tokyo and one of initiators of an appeal opposing the TPP, pointed out that the TPP is a framework to force Japan to fully open its market to U.S. corporations in order to bring them great benefit.

Guest speaker, Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo, said that although TPP advocates have been cornered by the people’s struggle, they are still waiting for their chance.

“The Japan Business Federation in its policy proposal issued in July emphasized the need for an early entry into the TPP allegedly to weather the negative impact of the March 11 disaster. However, participation in the TPP will not only put obstacles in the way of disaster reconstruction but also further worsen Japan’s economic crisis,” Shii added.

Shii expressed his determination to work hard to block Japan’s entry into the free-trade agreement.