Changes in the external environment and corresponding agriculture policy in Japan: A comparison with agriculture policy in the EU

It might be necessary to take domestic countermeasures in agriculture policy because significant changes in trade rules due to international negotiations may have a significant impact on domestic agriculture. Changes in the external environment and corresponding agriculture policies have been discussed for over 20 years since the basic law on food, agriculture and rural areas was enacted. Japan’s agricultural policy and the EU’s agricultural policy are herein compared to obtain suggestions on agricultural policy in Japan. Looking ahead to the next 20 years, the way of conducting international negotiations and the prospects for corresponding policy will differ greatly, depending on how we forecast the outcome of the WTO negotiations. Assuming that the WTO negotiations are going forward, it will be necessary to shift to agriculture policy that complies with criteria set out in the green box and aim at going beyond the level of existing EPA/FTA concessions. In the case where it is assumed that the WTO negotiations will not proceed, EPAs/FTAs such as RCEP and TAG may advance further. With regard to how to proceed with international negotiations in the future, considering the responsibility of a country such as Japan, establishing Japan’s food security is the most important in order to stably supply food to Japanese citizens. Policies of the EU emphasizing the role of agriculture as a public good and focusing on the environment also have to be considered to arm the theory of food security in Japan. As a result of international negotiations, it is of utmost importance for Japanese citizens to raise the concern about domestic countermeasures in agriculture policy and to accept a result or not. In particular, it will be necessary to take measures to ensure that important agriculture products will be reproduced.