Top > What's up around the Prime Minister > April, 2006

5th Meeting of the Headquarters on the Promotion of Policies for Food, Agriculture and Rural Areas Tuesday, April 4, 2006 JAPANESE The 5th Meeting of the Headquarters on the Promotion of Policies for Food, Agriculture and Rural Areas was held at the Prime Minister's Official Residence. At the meeting, the 21st Century New Agricultural Administration 2006 was decided. From here on, ministries will tie up for the vitalization of rural areas through the promotion of food safety and food education, the development of new industrial segments such as biomass and the vitalization of local communities, while jointly working on international strategies and the strengthening of the base of domestic agriculture. Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said, "I regard agriculture and rural areas not as a declining industry and declining regions but as a growing industry and growing regions. If we have the mind-set to turn challenges into opportunities, we could have brighter prospects. Now is the time to move from defense to offense with respect to agricultural and fishery communities as well as agriculture. There is biomass. There is a close relationship between forests and the sea. Agriculture and industry could jointly take offensive, such as by selling both rice and an automatic rice cooker as a package. I would appreciate your cooperation."