Japan Press Weekly

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2011 January 26 - February 1 [ECONOMY]

Local mayors express concerns over participation in TPP

Municipal heads across Japan opposed or called for careful consideration of Japan’s entry into the TPP.

This response was made at a meeting to exchange views on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) free-trade pact hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries on January 18-19. Nine local mayors participated in the meeting.

Shigemori Kazumi, the mayor of Kibichuo Town in Okayama Prefecture, said, “If Japan participates in the TPP and tariffs are eliminated, domestic farm products will not be able to compete with cheap agricultural products from overseas,” and added, “We adamantly oppose a policy of fully liberalizing trade in agricultural products.”

Izumiya Masuhiro, the mayor of Suzu City in Ishikawa Prefecture, expressed his deep concern, saying, “Japan’s entry into the TPP will set off not only a loss of farmers’ livelihoods but also a loss of our local communities. We will face with major difficulties if the government moves forward toward full liberalization.”

Mizunuma Takeshi, the mayor of Betsukai Town in Hokkaido, reported on a rally against the hurried entry into the TPP held in Nemuro City and called on the government to have in-depth discussions on what the national interest really is.