90% of imported food not inspected

Japan Press Weekly

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

90% of imported food not inspected

Many imported foods reach Japanese consumers without inspections at the border.

Japanese Communist Party representative Yoshii Hidekatsu on March 18 revealed that 90 percent of about 1,800,000 food shipments reported to the inspection office are not actually inspected.

At a meeting of the House of Representative ad-hoc committee on consumer affairs, Yoshii said, "In 2007, while the number of listed food imports increased threefold from 1989, the rate of inspection declined by seven percent to 11 percent. The inspection rate should be raised to at least 50 percent."

Yoshii also pointed out that most of the nation's 341 inspectors are in the Tokyo and Osaka areas and that there are only five inspectors in Hokkaido.

The prime minister said, "We will add 27 more inspectors in FY 2009 and consider a further increase." But he declined to promise to raise the inspection rate.

Yoshii went on to say, "At least 3,000 inspectors are needed, and personnel costs necessary for them will be about 30 billion yen, or just 1.5 percent of the budget for Self-Defense Forces personnel. Why are you so reluctant to use tax revenue for ensuring the safety of foods, which should be a priority?"

The prime minister said, "That is a valid point. It is natural for the government to provide inspections to contribute to ensuring the public's peace of mind."

- Akahata, March 19, 2009