Abe vows to turn farming from defensive to offensive sector under TPP

TOKYO, Oct. 9 Kyodo - Prime Minister Shinzo Abe vowed Friday to implement measures to beef up the country's agricultural sector in the wake of a landmark free trade accord involving Japan, the United States and 10 other Pacific Rim countries. "We will strive to transform defensive agriculture into offensive agriculture so that young people can develop dreams" in the future of the currently protected industry, Abe said as the government decided to cultivate new markets, promote innovation and remove people's concerns over the possible negative effects of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade initiative. The three guiding principles were presented at an inaugural meeting of the government's headquarters on domestic measures for the TPP. The body involving all Cabinet members was launched a day after the farm ministry announced that Japan will eliminate tariffs levied on about half of the 834 agricultural products subject to duties after the TPP takes effect. Removing tariffs from items such as oranges, ketchup, sausages, beef tongue and red salmon immediately or in phases would benefit consumers in Japan, but there is mounting concern that cheaper imports will affect domestic farmers and those engaged in the agricultural business. Speaking at Friday's meeting, part of which was open to the media, Abe said, "I'm determined to take best possible measures" to counteract negative impacts from a possible surge in agricultural imports once the TPP takes effect . A 2013 calculation by the government shows that while the TPP would boost Japan's real gross domestic product by about 3.2 trillion yen ($26.7 billion) in 10 years, Japan's agricultural output by value would fall by about 3 trillion yen on the premise that tariffs on all items be removed immediately. Japan made concessions on farm products, but gained favorable conditions in trade of industrial good. A deal struck Monday in Atlanta by the 12 TPP member states will require, for example, the United States to immediately scrap tariffs on more than 80 percent of auto parts imported from Japan. Similarly, Canada will remove its 6.1 percent tariff on Japanese automobiles in five years and 6.0 percent duty on close to 90 percent of Japanese auto parts. In 2010, the United States started TPP negotiations with Australia, Brunei, Chile, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam. Canada, Japan, Malaysia and Mexico joined the talks later. The 12 member states cover some 40 percent of global output. ==Kyodo