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On December 10, 2019, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held the 26th meeting of the Headquarters on Creating Dynamism in Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery Industries and Local Communities at the Prime Minister’s Office.
 
At the meeting, discussions were held on the future direction of the agriculture, forestry and fisheries policies as well as the Program for Strengthening the Production Bases of the Agriculture Industry, and the revisions to the Plan for Creating Dynamism in Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery Industries and Local Communities.
 
Based on the discussion, the Prime Minister said,
 
“We must pass on the splendid rural landscape, mountain ranges full of greenery, and the rich marine environment, to future generations. To that end, the Abe Cabinet has exerted every effort to advance policies for transforming the agricultural, forestry and fishery industries into a growth sector.
 
Our efforts have started to deliver results steadily, including the increase in the revenue of the agricultural industry for three consecutive years and the expansion in export value of agricultural, forestry and fishery produce for six consecutive years. In future, there will be rising opportunities for safe and secure Japanese agricultural produce to expand into the global market.
 
We will create a structure to address various issues in an ‘All Japan’ manner, such as the easing of import restrictions overseas, with the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries serving as a control tower.
 
Furthermore, we will strongly advance other initiatives such as the development of production areas for exports (global production areas) and smart agriculture, forestry and fishery, which utilizes advanced technologies.
 
To implement such new initiatives, it is indispensable to maintain a firm production base. Through the program we have approved today, we will build a resilient production base that can withstand even natural disasters. Based on this foundation, we will continue to transform these industries into a growth sector, and carve out a new era for the agriculture, forestry and fishery industries, where young people can have dreams and high hopes in them. To this end, I ask the relevant ministers to make even greater efforts.”