General Assembly of Japan’s National Council for Export Promotion of Agricultural, Forestry and Fishery Products and Processed Foods

On December 10, 2021, the Prime Minister attended the FY2021 General Assembly of Japan’s National Council for Export Promotion of Agricultural, Forestry and Fishery Products and Processed Foods held in Tokyo.

The Prime Minister said in his address,

 “Today I would like to offer some remarks upon the General Assembly of Japan’s National Council for Export Promotion of Agricultural, Forestry and Fishery Products and Processed Foods.

To begin with, I express my heartfelt congratulations to everyone who was awarded today for their distinguished contributions to the promotion of Japanese food overseas, and to those awarded for their excellence in export practices. You have my sincere respect for promoting Japanese food and exploring markets overseas where eating habits are different.

We have seen record-breaking exports of agricultural, forestry, and fishery products and processed foods over eight consecutive years. The export value for this year is already 973.4 billion yen as of October, and 2021 is said to be a major milestone year when annual exports exceed 1 trillion yen.

It is precisely thanks to the fruit of efforts made by those who have strived to make Japanese cuisine a food culture popular in the world as well, those who have steadily worked on exports of quality agricultural, forestry, and fishery products and processed foods that Japan takes pride in, and all of those who have been involved in activities from domestic production sites to the sale and provision of such products and foods outside Japan.

With a view to increasing the country’s export capacity through an all-Japan approach by organizing export promotion bodies by product line, the Kishida Cabinet will submit a bill to revise an act to facilitate exports to the next ordinary Diet session as well as strongly promote further organization of leading product bodies, including those for rice, Japanese sake, and fruits, in the current economic stimulus package without waiting for a legal revision. We also hope that active efforts will be made to prepare for the organization of such bodies for other items.

Toward achieving the major export targets of 2 trillion yen in 2025 and 5 trillion yen in 2030, we will do everything we can do with Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Kaneko and all parties concerned. Therefore, I humbly seek exceptional cooperation from everyone in attendance and other relevant parties.

In closing, I would like to express my best wishes for the continued good health of all those in attendance here today, including Chairman Mogi.”