Japan Press Weekly

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2013 October 16 - 22 [POLITICS]

Kochi assembly: Lifting of tariffs on Japan’s key food categories is unacceptable

The Kochi Prefectural Assembly on October 15 unanimously adopted a resolution submitted by all seven parties in opposition to Japan’s participation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations.

The resolution was brought to the assembly after Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) lawmaker of the House of Representatives Nishikawa Koya in charge of the TPP indicated that the government is considering removing key products from protection.

The resolution argues that Nishikawa’s remark is astounding and absolutely unacceptable.

Despite being an LDP assemblyperson, Hamada Hidehiro is on the list of resolution initiators. Regarding the promise the LDP made with the public that it would protect Japan’s five key food categories containing 586 items, Hamada said, “I can’t bear lying to the prefectural people. I want all the 586 items to be protected.”

The prefectural assembly also adopted a statement requesting that the government immediately withdraw from the TPP negotiations because Japan cannot even protect its “sanctuary” of the five categories.