[Provisional Translation]

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held the 19th 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, discussion took place on the state of discussion of policies in the new era of agricultural policies and the state of operation of prefectural intermediary institutions that manage farmland.

Based on the discussion, the Prime Minister said,

“Turning the agriculture, forestry and fishery industries into growth industries is an important pillar of the Abe Cabinet’s Growth Strategy.

Today we discussed policies to pave the way for the new era of agricultural policies. Last year’s exports of agricultural, forestry and fishery products, and food products was to the value of approximately 750 billion yen, a new record in the past three consecutive years of record-breaking figures. However, I believe this is still low. Japan’s safe and delicious agricultural products hold enormous potential. There is a need to implement measures that aim for even greater heights.

Today we formulated a strategy to strengthen the exports of agricultural, forestry and fishery products. This is the core of the new era of agricultural policies, and we will move swiftly to implement it. With the impetus of “if you put your mind to it, anything is possible,” we will advance measures that will lead to an increase in income for people employed in the agriculture, forestry and fishery industries, and will aim for the achievement ahead of schedule of the goal of expanding the value of exports to 1 trillion yen by 2020.

In regard to other policies such as a review of the pricing systems for production materials, I would like you to accelerate study, towards formulation in autumn. Furthermore, last year we increased the area of agricultural land utilized by farmers by 80,000 hectares. Towards achieving the policy goal of 140,000 hectares per year, I would like you to steadily implement policies for reform of farmland consolidation banks.

My resolve is completely unchanged to make the agriculture, forestry and fishery industries fields that foster dreams, in which young people can pioneer new horizons with their own passions. I ask for each of the relevant Cabinet members to continue to make even greater efforts.”