- Japan’s new ag minister pledged to keep agricultural reforms moving.
- Minister highlighted farmland protection, succession planning and boosting farm productivity.
- Japan targeting JPY5tn (US$31.6bn) in exports by 2030.
Takebe assumed the position following the resignation of Kazuo Yana over allegations of cutting road funding for municipalities that did not support his campaign.
Speaking to reporters at the first press conference after his inauguration, the minister assured that the ministry would continue to push ahead with its agenda.
“First and foremost, I believe we cannot allow agricultural, forestry, and fisheries administration to stagnate,” said Takebe, whose father also served as the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
“Without a strong agricultural, forestry, and fisheries sector, the regional economy cannot survive. Without a vibrant regional economy, the Japanese economy cannot regain its vitality.”
Takebe highlighted that the government was at a pivotal moment in implementing food security measures and overhauling rice paddy policy.
The agenda also included updating strategies for the livestock, forestry and fisheries sectors in response to changing environmental and industry conditions.
“We are at such a critical juncture, so I intend to serve as minister with the resolve to move forward rather than stagnate,” he said.
Safeguarding Japan’s farms and food
Takebe said his ministry will be focusing on “structural transformation of agriculture” in the next five years.
One of the priorities was safeguarding agricultural land and addressing succession challenges.
“I believe the most crucial issues are how to secure successors, how to protect farmland, and how to increase the income of farmers while raising productivity and keeping costs down.”
He said efforts to strengthen regional planning and consolidate farmland would be critical to determining the future of rural agricultural areas, describing the current period as a significant crossroads for the sector.
The minister said ensuring a stable food supply was the ministry’s most important responsibility, underscoring the government’s focus on food security as pressures on the sector continue to mount.
“In order to strengthen food security, we will promote the expansion of demand both domestically and internationally and strengthen supply capacity by maintaining the production base and improving productivity and added value so that we can meet the expanded demand.”
Key items
Japan is targeting JPY5tn (US$31.6bn) in exports by 2030.
Takebe said he had been tasked by the prime minister with advancing key policy priorities, led by efforts to strengthen food security under Japan’s revised Basic Law on Food, Agriculture and Rural Areas.
The agenda includes supporting the development of plant factories and land-based aquaculture facilities, and ensuring a stable supply of rice.
Additionally, Tokyo is working to help farmers cope with high input costs while accelerating investment aimed at transforming the agricultural sector.
Other priorities include expanding production capacity for gluten-free rice flour and developing overseas markets for it, increasing domestic production of key inputs such as fertilisers, and boosting exports of Japanese products, services and infrastructure to partner countries.
A hot potato
The minister also highlighted other immediate challenges facing the sector, including concerns over potential imports of US potatoes.
The issue holds a particular significance to Takebe, who hails from Hokkaido, the region that produces 80% of the country’s potatoes.
He acknowledged growers’ concerns and said the government would take a firm approach to risk assessment and risk management in its discussions with the US.
“We will strive to ensure food security while firmly implementing agricultural structural reforms to overcome this extremely difficult situation,” said Takebe.
