Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held the first meeting of the Headquarters on Creating Dynamism through Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery Industries and Local Communities at the Prime Minister's Office.

During the meeting, reports were presented regarding the establishment of the Headquarters on Creating Dynamism through Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery Industries and Local Communities and the holding of the meetings of the Executive Committee (Directors-General level) of the Headquarters on Creating Dynamism through Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery Industries and Local Communities.

The Prime Minister said in his opening address,

"Since ancient times, Japan has been called 'a land blessed with rice.'
The agriculture, forestry and fishery industries are vital industries that provide a stable supply of food to the people and support local economies, and have multifaceted functions in protecting the furusato (hometowns) and land which have given rise to Japan's wonderful history, culture, and traditions.
Therefore, in my second speech regarding the growth strategy last week, I set out a goal to double the incomes of the agricultural industry and agricultural areas in a decade and identified the following three visions:

1. A strategy to double exports of agricultural, forestry and fishery goods;
2. Expand the sixth industry market which will increase added value; and
3. Promote agricultural structural reform through farmland consolidation.

In addition, in order to protect the beautiful furusatos, the creation of a new direct payment system which also evaluates multifaceted functions is needed.
Over the weekend, I visited Oita Prefecture and paid a visit to an agricultural corporation, which has put sixth industrialization into practice in partnership with a food manufacturer that entered the agricultural industry from the construction industry. Last Sunday, I met a young person in Miyagi Prefecture who said to me with shining eyes, 'It's all up to oneself. I believe that in agriculture too, if effort is made, income will increase.' It made me realize that in agriculture as well, motivated people pave the way to a new frontier.
The Abe Cabinet is determined to make an all-out effort to turn the agriculture, forestry and fishery industries into attractive industries for young people and, simultaneously, protect Japan's rural areas and furusatos.
Therefore, I would like the Cabinet to work as one to actively review measures under the leadership of the Chief Cabinet Secretary and the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. In the review process, I would like the Headquarters to reflect into policy new perspectives, such as partnerships between medicine, food, and the agriculture, forestry and fishery industries, as well as ICT use, and carefully listen to the opinions at the sites and in the communities.
The circumstances facing the agriculture, forestry and fishery industries and rural areas are becoming ever more severe. However, if the agriculture, forestry and fishery industries are given a boost, this will also give increased vitality to communities. I ask for your cooperation for creating 'strong agriculture, forestry and fishery industries' which young people can have hope in."