Japan Press Weekly

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2023 August 23 - 29 [SOCIAL ISSUES]

JCP submits proposal calling on gov’t to improve Japan’s food self-sufficiency rate as a vital task

Japanese Communist Party member of the House of Councilors Kami Tomoko, who heads the JCP Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries Bureau, and JCP member of the House of Representatives Tamura Takaaki on August 23 submitted to Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Fujiki Naoya, a JCP proposal calling on the government to revise its agriculture policy drastically and improve Japan’s food self-sufficiency rate as a vital task.

The JCP compiled the proposal in reaction to the government’s decision in June regarding a new direction for policies pertaining to food, agriculture and rural areas.

In the submission, JCP Tamura, who chairs a JCP lawmakers’ task force on agriculture and fisheries issues, noted that Japan depends on imports from overseas for more than 60% of its food supply. He pointed out, “The government in its new policy direction failed to mention the need to increase the nation’s food self-sufficiency rate. In addition, the government decided on this new direction without acknowledging the negative impacts on domestic farming due to the policy of excessive reliance on food imports.” He claimed that the government should revise the food import-oriented policy to one protecting Japan’s agriculture.

Fujiki in response indicated reluctance to accept the JCP proposal.

At a press conference after the submission, JCP Kami said, “I was disappointed at the agriculture ministry’s response. Amid the ongoing food crisis evidenced in a surge in livestock feed costs, it is necessary to boost Japan’s agriculture and food self-sufficiency rate from the view-point of food security. The JCP will work hard to change the government stance in order to achieve this.”

The JCP proposal mainly demands that the government focus on improving the nation’s food self-sufficiency rate as its main task; shift away from the endless promotion of import liberalization and instead restore Japan’s food sovereignty; implement fundamental measures such as income- and price-support programs aimed at motivating farmers to continue farming; and drastically increase the budget for agriculture in order to make a breakthrough in the ongoing food and farming crisis.

Past related article:
> Farmers group submits proposal to gov't on ways to improve self-sufficiency rate in food [July 12, 2023]