Anti-TPP rallies around Japan
NHK World | 26 Oct 2011
Anti-TPP rallies around Japan
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Agricultural and medical groups in Japan have held rallies to oppose the country’s participation in the talks for a free trade agreement in the Asia-Pacific region.
About 3,000 demonstrators from across the country gathered in Tokyo on Wednesday. The government plans to decide whether it will participate in the talks before the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum early next month.
Central Union of Agricultural Cooperatives chief Akira Banzai said no key information on the Trans-Pacific Partnership pact, or TPP, has been disclosed, although the agreement may decide the country’s future.
He added the government’s haste and high-handed process is contrary to the people’s will and is not acceptable in Japan’s democratic system.
Participants said that if Japan takes part in the TPP the domestic farm industry would be disastrously affected by inexpensive imports. They noted this may jeopardize the stability of the country’s food supply.
A doctors’ lobby group also opposes the country’s participation in the free trade agreement.
The Vice President of the Japan Medical Association, Toshio Nakagawa, stated that the medical practices of Japan, the fairest in the world, would not be provided under the TPP concept. He asserted services provided under the TPP would be according to a free market principle practiced in the United States.
After the meeting, participants marched in front of government buildings, pressing the government not to take part in the TPP.
Japanese farmers’ groups also plan to hold a similar rally of about 6,000 on November 8th, just before the APEC summit meeting.
Some 400 farmers also rallied in the northern city of Sapporo, Hokkaido, to express their opposition to the country’s participation in the TPP talks.
They said the farm industry of Hokkaido, and that of the country as a whole, would be badly affected by cheap imports of farm produce like wheat.
Hokkaido is known as the base of Japan’s food supply, accounting for about 10 percent of the country’s agricultural output.
