Arab News Japan

TOKYO: Japanese farmers gathered outside the agriculture, fisheries, and forestry ministry to protest against the rice price drop nationwide.

A tractor, with placards advocating food sovereignty, were displayed during the demonstration.

Representatives of former organizations and representatives of four opposition parties, including the Communist Party, and representatives of the trade union confederation, such as the Zenroren union, said that farmers could no longer produce with low prices.

A representative of the Japan Family Farmers Movement (Nominren) association, which organized the rally, told Arab News Japan that the price of rice had fallen due to the Coronavirus pandemic and that it was necessary to increase the price, so farmers continue to produce.

Tomoko Kami, a member of the parliament, detailed “the losses suffered by rice farmers and pleaded for the state to buy back unsold rice stocks and redistribute them to populations who cannot feed properly due to the increase of poverty.”

Peasants from different regions said they hope the new prime minister pays attention to their economic and social issues.