Japan Press Weekly

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2011 October 26 - November 1 [ECONOMY]

Don’t fear Japanese farmers opposing TPP: Ex-US Senior Official

Former U.S. senior official, Richard L. Armitage spoke at a lecture in Tokyo, telling the audience not to be afraid of the growing farmers’ opposition to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement.

Armitage pointed out that the share of domestic agriculture in Japan’s gross domestic product (GDP) is only 1.2%.

The Deputy Secretary of State under the George W. Bush administration also stated that the U.S. supports Japan’s participation in the TPP, adding, “You shouldn’t be frightened of an agricultural lobby. We have the same problems with different lobbies in the U.S.”

Farmers in Japan are strongly protesting against entering into the TPP negotiations.

Banzai Akira, President of the Central Union of Agricultural Co-operatives (JA-Zenchu), at a rally to oppose the TPP held in Tokyo on October 26, said, “The foundation of our country is to defend our environment, a reliable supply of food, a stable local economy and employment opportunities, and a reliable healthcare system. We will make our utmost effort to oppose the TPP.”