## 1 Background of the Measures

As analyzed in the Report on Food, Agriculture and Rural Areas in Japan in FY2006, agriculture and rural areas in Japan have reached a crucial turning point.

The Basic Plan for Food, Agriculture and Rural Areas formulated in March 2005 specifies measures to improve the food self-sufficiency ratio, as well as other measures related to food, agriculture, and rural areas that must be implemented in a comprehensive and systematic manner, such as the ensuring of food safety and consumer confidence, the establishment of new farm management stabilization programs, an “aggressive approach to agricultural policy,” and the promotion of complementarities and interrelationships between urban and rural areas. In addition, the progress schedule was also prepared to define the procedures for the promotion of the measures, the timing and techniques of the implementation of the measures, and the achievement goals of each measure. The measures have been managed appropriately according to the progress schedule, and reviewed when necessary.

The measures on food, agriculture and rural areas deal with issues directly affecting farmers, and deeply concern the everyday life of the nation. Therefore, the measures need to be implemented in a highly transparent way and in such a manner as to be able to win the people's trust and support, by actively reflecting the efforts of farmers and the voices of consumers in the course of the promotion of agricultural administration.

## 2 Focus Points of the Measures

To achieve the goals and solve the issues set forth in the Basic Plan, the measures related to consumption and production with a view to improved food self-sufficiency, the measures to ensure a stable supply of food, the measures related to the sustainable development of agriculture, and the measures related to the promotion of rural areas, will be implemented in a comprehensive manner.

To be more specific, particular efforts will be made to ensure that the policy reform, which consists of three main actions: the introduction of new farm management stabilization programs targeted at principal farmers, review of the Rice Policy Reform Promotion Measures, and introduction of the Measures to Conserve and Improve Land, Water and Environment, will be implemented smoothly. The government will also proactively implement such measures as the promotion of exports of agricultural products and food as well as the utilization of biomass, while making further efforts to secure food safety and consumer confidence, and promote complementarities and interrelationships between urban and rural areas.

## 3 Measures Related to Consumption and Production with a View to Improved Food Self-Sufficiency

The Food Self-Sufficiency Ratio Improvement Council will formulate action plans to improve the food self-sufficiency ratio, and all those concerned will make united efforts to attain the purpose according to the plan. (Measures focused on with regard to food consumption)

• Particular focus will be placed on the promotion of easy-to-understand and practical “Shokuiku,” local consumption of local produce throughout the country, as well as measures to secure consumer confidence in domestic agricultural products.

(Measures focused on with regard to agricultural production)

• Particular focus will be placed on the concentration and prioritization of various measures for principal farmers, the strengthening of the collaborations between the food industry and agriculture, as well as the promotion of the efficient use of farmland through such means as the intensive use of farmland by principal farmers, and the collaboration of crop and livestock farmers in the production of feed and forage crops.

## 4 Measures to Ensure a Stable Supply of Food

(Ensuring food safety and consumer confidence)

• Conducting appropriate risk assessment, and risk management through the food chain, and promotion of risk communication, will be carried out to ensure food safety based on risk analysis. In addition, current food labeling practices and the Japanese Agricultural Standard (JAS) will be reviewed to meet current social needs, labels will be monitored, and guidance will be given wherever necessary, to ensure that labels satisfy the relevant standards.