JCP lawmaker receives petition from agricultural co-op leaders

Japan Press Weekly

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

JCP lawmaker receives petition from agricultural co-op leaders

Japanese Communist Party Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries Bureau Director Kami Tomoko (House of Councilors) on September 6 received a petition from the Central Union of Agricultural Co-operatives (JA-Zenchu) asking for JCP cooperation in coping with the falling rice price at her office in the Dietmembers’ Building.

JA-Zenchu representatives showed her the data to explain that unless the government addresses the declining price of rice and improves the supply-demand situation, farmers cannot continue farming without anxieties.

Kami in reply said, “The government no longer has a system to support a stable rice prices, but it is the government responsibility to appropriately adjust the price. I support your petition and will take up this issue in the Diet.”

JA-Zenchu has recently compiled a policy proposal calling on the government to immediately take measures to coordinate the balance between rice supply and demand.

The policy proposal also requests that the government prevent prices of this year’s rice from sharply dropping and carry out a supply-demand adjustment by separating the existing surplus rice from the staple food market.

JA-Zenchu also made similar representations to other political parties.

- Akahata, September 7, 2010