Japan's farming sector, dominated by smallholders and unable to attract a new generation to take over, needs a wake-up call after decades of excessive protection.

You tell it like it IS.

As it is looking more and more like the TPP is not going to go through, we are probably not going to get the chance to test out this dubious theory in the real world. And that will be a lucky break for everybody involved. Whatever the problems are with Japanese agriculture, what this guy wants is more like a death sentence than a solution.

Japan's farming sector, dominated by smallholders and unable to attract a new generation to take over, needs a wake-up call after decades of excessive protection.

Understatement, and metaphor for so much else, too.

What needs to be added to the end of that quote: "...after decades of excessive protection" and giving crucial aid to the corrupt LDP.

Frankly, the farm sector, or what is left of it, ought to be euthanized, which, I can only hope, will snuff the LDP.

I can handle being ripped-off by exorbitant prices for non-essential items, and even the 'hidden costs' that get put on you in the service industry here (phone companies, gyms etc.), but the prices we pay here for groceries are ridiculous - given the size of Japan's economy. 300 yen for a peach, 500 yen for a small stick of butter, no more than one choice for a whole range of products (pasta sauces, dairy products etc.) - this is where the buck stops! Where are the lobby groups? Where's the outrage? Decades upon decades of 'taking it on the chin' has to change.

sighclops,

I agree with you. Prices for food in this country is ridiculous. Japan needs to import more food products without the huge tarrifs. Years ago, New Zealand stopped subsidies to the farmers and everything worked out fine in the end. Now, New Zealand has a healthy farmer sector and good safe products for export.

Bought some beautiful Spanish imported garlic bulbs the other day for 100 yen each, less than half the price of Japanese garlic which is also half the size of the Spanish stuff. Why would you pay 230 yen or so for a small garlic bulb?

I would like to see the TPP deal go through on the exchange of products only, between the original member countries concerned with the exception of USA tainted and GMO food products. USA was never in the original members of TPP anyway. They just jumped in and started changing the original aims of TPP.to include non consumer goods.

The other issue to be considered though is that of food security.

Importing 60% of your food needs is far from ideal, particularly when you have a belligerent and aggressive neighbour intent on causing trouble.