Prime Minister Naoto Kan held the first meeting of the Council for the Realization of the Revival of the Food, Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishery Industries at the Prime Minister's Office.

The purpose of the Council is to examine and advance measures aimed at promoting both high-level Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) and the improvement of Japan's food self-sufficiency and revitalization of its agriculture industry and rural communities, and also measures aimed at fostering sustainable and strong agriculture.

At the meeting, the Council deliberated on major points for discussion and the holding of a Senior Vice-Ministers' Meeting of the Council for the Realization of the Revival of the Food, Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishery Industries.

Based on the discussion at the meeting, Prime Minister Kan said, "The average age of people currently engaged in agriculture is 66. This, I believe, is a fundamental problem. We must think from the perspective of facilitating young people's engagement in agriculture, examining this issue from various angles.
Also, we could consider, based on various points of view, agriculture as a policy issue in a broad sense; one that involves social dimensions, including the cooperation of companies.
Agriculture is an issue that not only needs to be discussed by this Council, but that also requires efforts from each of you to start a national debate. I hope that discussion in this Council will lead to a national movement, pushing us one step closer to bringing vigor back to Japan."