Ministry Of Agriculture, Forestry And Fisheries Research Articles

Isotianil (2nd edition) (Pesticides).

Food Safety Commission of Japan (FSCJ) conducted a risk assessment of isotianil (CAS No. 224049-04-1), an isothiazole agent for induced resistance to blast disease. This evaluation was requested from Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) on the reevaluation article of Agricultural Chemicals Regulation Act. Additional information including the fate in livestock (goats and chickens) and genotoxicity, and also the list of published scientific literature were newly submitted from the MAFF. The following data were used in the assessment; fate in plants (including paddy rice and potatoes), residues in crops, fate in livestock (goats and chickens), residues in livestock products, fate in animals (rats), subacute toxicity (rats, mice and dogs), chronic toxicity (rats and dogs), carcinogenicity (rats and mice), two-generation reproductive toxicity (rats), developmental toxicity (rats and rabbits), and genotoxicity. Major adverse effects of isotianil were observed in the stomach (mucosal epithelium hyperplasia of the forestomach limiting ridge in rats), the liver (including organ weight gain), and the kidney (including chronic nephropathy). No adverse effects were observed on carcinogenicity, fertility, teratogenicity, and genotoxicity. The lowest no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) obtained from the studies described above was 2.83 mg/kg bw per day in a one-year chronic toxicity study in rats. FSCJ specified an acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 0.028 mg/kg bw per day based on the NOAEL after applying a safety factor of 100. An acute reference dose (ARfD) was judged unnecessary to be specified, based on the results of a single oral administration of isotianil and other related tests.

Anaphylaxis after vaccination for cats in Japan.

Severe adverse reactions in cats after vaccination were examined from 316 cases reported to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) in Japan during 15-year period from April 2004 to March 2019. We found that 130 (41%) showed anaphylaxis, and 99 (76%) of the 130 cases of anaphylaxis resulted in death. Veterinarians should be well prepared to deal with vaccine-associated anaphylaxis in cats. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) as indicator of purification was detected at high levels in commercially available feline vaccines. BSA might derive from fetal calf serum in culture media. This study provides useful information about anaphylaxis including critical details of the potential clinical signs associated with adverse events to feline vaccination.

Anaphylaxis after rabies vaccination for dogs in Japan.

Severe adverse reactions after rabies vaccination in dogs were examined from 317 cases reported to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) in Japan during 15-year period from April 2004 to March 2019. We found that 109 of the 317 dogs showed anaphylaxis (0.15/100,000 vaccinated dogs), and 71 of the 109 cases of anaphylaxis resulted in death (0.10/100,000 vaccinated dogs). We measured bovine serum albumin (BSA) in four commercially available rabies vaccines and found the levels ranged from 0.1 to 16.6 µg/dose. Our survey showed that the rate of anaphylaxis to rabies vaccines in dogs is rare, although some cases of anaphylaxis resulted in death. Veterinarians should be well prepared to deal with vaccine-associated anaphylaxis.

Relationships between air dose rates and radionuclide concentrations in agricultural plants observed in areas affected by the Fukushima Dai-ichi accident

Most of environmental monitoring programs include measurements of the air dose rates and the radionuclides activity concentration in plants. Both these parameters depend on deposition density of radionuclides. Therefore, measurements of one parameter can (with some supplementary information) be used as an indicator for the other parameter. After the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident, the Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) operated by the Environmental Radioactivity Monitoring centre of Fukushima and Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) of Japan carried out large sampling programme over different distances from the NPP. The sampling programme was focused on the usage of the weed leaves as a proxy for the prediction of radionuclide transfer to some cultivated plants. The MAFF monitoring programme in 2011–2016 was addressed mainly to agricultural crops. In both cases, the air dose rates were measured at the sites of the sampling. The paper addresses the assessments of relationship between radionuclide activities concentrations in plants and ambient dose rates. The time—dependent relationships were quantified based on weed, buckwheat, brown rice and soybean data obtained in 2011–2016. The recommendations on optimizing emergency sampling programmes based on use of the data of ambient dose rates are also presented.

The Great East Japan Earthquake (2011): using the One Health approach to minimise the impact on the livestock industry and human health.

Supplying safe livestock products made from healthy animals is the primary purpose of the agriculture industry, making it essential to include agriculture in the One Health approach to disaster preparedness and response. After the Great East Japan Earthquake of 11 March 2011, and the following crisis at the Fukushima Nuclear Complex, producing and supplying safe livestock products became a challenging issue, because the area was highly polluted with radiation leaks from the nuclear plants. To produce livestock products that satisfied the safety standards for radioactive materials in food for humans, it was necessary to create feeding management guidelines and set standard limits for radioactive materials in animal feeds. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) established provisional maximum limits on radioactive caesium in feeds in order to secure safe food for the nation. Furthermore, there were other issues that Japan's livestock industry had to tackle. The authors outline key measures taken by the Livestock Industry Department of the MAFF to reconstruct the livestock industry, which was a small but important part of the whole reconstruction plan. They also discuss the measures implemented to protect companion animals.

Evidence that sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) is not a host of codling moth (Cydia pomonella (L.), Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in British Columbia, Canada

Before accepting a systems approach as an alternative to methyl bromide fumigation, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) of Japan requested a two year study to confirm that sweet cherry is not a host of codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in British Columbia. Evidence was collected through trapping of adults using pheromones and fruit dissections for eggs and larvae in the three largest sweet cherry production regions in the interior of British Columbia: the North Okanagan, South Okanagan/Similkameen and Creston in 2015 and 2016. The Creston Valley is outside of the region served by Sterile Insect Release of codling moth, thus the survey included orchards with and without codling moth sterile insect technology. All cherry orchards were in proximity to apple orchards. No pest control measures that might affect codling moth were used in Year 1 of the study. Year 1 objective was to determine the average number of wild codling moth adults in an orchard where no pest control measures were applied (codling moth threshold). Codling moth pheromone traps were placed in cherry orchards. The highest weekly mean of wild trap captures was 12 codling moth adults per trap in Creston in Year 1. In Year 1, at least 10,000 harvested cherries per orchard were examined externally and by dissection per orchard. A total of 112,565 cherry fruit were individually examined. No codling moth eggs or larvae were found. In Year 2, pest control measures were applied to cherry orchards, and 600 harvested cherries per orchard were examined externally and by dissection per orchard. A total of 6311 cherry fruit were individually examined. No codling moth eggs or larvae were found under low (South Okanagan/Similkameen and North Okanagan regions) and moderate (Creston region) codling moth pest pressure. In 2016, lots from 10 orchards were presented for export certification to countries other than Japan, no insect pests were detected during the brown sugar flotation test. These results suggest that cherries are poor hosts of codling moth. This study supports a systems approach to quarantine security for export of BC fresh cherries to Japan.

Key Factors in Handling Conflicts in the Isahaya Bay Land Reclamation Project, Japan: A Case Study Focusing on Social Aspects

AbstractThe Isahaya Bay land reclamation project is one of the most controversial public works in Japan. The dike closure in 1997 became a target of the mass media as a symbol of ecological destruction. The bad seaweed crop in 2000 triggered fishermen's protests which led to short‐term opening of the dike gates. The author became involved in a series of events as a responsible government official in the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) in Japan. This paper illustrates how the Ministry coped with a difficult situation and brings out basic approaches and practical measures for better coordination as a result of these experiences, focusing on the social aspects. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Integrated control and integrated pest management in Japan: the need for various strategies in response to agricultural diversity

An urgent need exists in Japan to reduce the use of crop protection chemicals, increase food safety, find an alternative to methyl bromide, and adopt sustainable agricultural practices. Integrated control and integrated pest management (IPM) are powerful approaches to resolve these problems. Integrated control, as described by Stern et al. (Hilgardia, 29: 81–101, 1959), was translated as sougouboujo in Japanese by Japanese entomologists and has become popular. However, this concept was first reported for rice diseases in Japan by Ito (Itoh, 28:1–204, 1932), to provide preventive control of three principal rice diseases using a combination of measures that inhibited primary infection. Many scientists in Japan have conducted research on sougouboujo. The term is still used by Japanese plant pathologists even though the Japanese government developed IPM guidelines in the 2000s. The sougouboujo concept described by Ito may be considered a type of preventive IPM based on biology. With this previous work as a foundation, research on sougouboujo in Japan is introduced as representing “integrated control.” In this report, I introduce the history of IPM in Japan including the new system of checklists based on the IPM guidelines of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) and a new IPM strategy to manage diseases caused by soilborne pathogens.

日本における総合防除とIPM：多様な農業に対応した様々な戦略の必要性

An urgent need exists in Japan to reduce the use of crop protection chemicals, increase food safety, find an alternative to methyl bromide, and adopt sustainable agricultural practices. Integrated control and integrated pest management (IPM) are powerful approaches to resolve these problems. Integrated control, as described by Stern et al. (Hilgardia, 29: 81–101, 1959), was translated as sougouboujo in Japanese by Japanese entomologists and has become popular. However, this concept was first reported for rice diseases in Japan by Ito (Itoh, 28:1–204, 1932), to provide preventive control of three principal rice diseases using a combination of measures that inhibited primary infection. Many scientists in Japan have conducted research on sougouboujo. The term is still used by Japanese plant pathologists even though the Japanese government developed IPM guidelines in the 2000s. The sougouboujo concept described by Ito may be considered a type of preventive IPM based on biology. With this previous work as a foundation, research on sougouboujo in Japan is introduced as representing “integrated control.” In this report, I introduce the history of IPM in Japan including the new system of checklists based on the IPM guidelines of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) and a new IPM strategy to manage diseases caused by soilborne pathogens.

Review of Sustainable Agriculture: Promotion, Its Challenges and Opportunities in Japan

Agricultural ecosystems are the largest managed ecosystem in the world. The sustainable development of agriculture is significant to the reversion of dramatic loss of biological diversity in the world. Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) project launched by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations is among the global efforts to conserve and dynamically manage the specific agricultural knowledge system and landscapes. Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), Japan stressed the environmental concern of conventional farming practices in Japan in 1992. Noto Peninsula and Sado City were designated as two new GIAHS pilot sites in Japan as part of local level initiative to preserve the traditional agricultural systems in 2011. This paper reviewed the development process of sustainable farming in Japan and analyzed the challenges and new possibilities to its further extension. The current situation of various sustainable farming practices: such as farming with reduced input of chemical fertilizers and pesticides to conserve rich biodiversity, and organic farming, were reviewed. Emphasis was given to the sustainable farming practices in Hokuriku region, in particular, Ishikawa Prefecture and Sado City in Niigata Prefecture. Based on the recent official documents, reports and research papers, policy implication was brought forward. The challenges of sustainable farming practices and market valuation of sustainable farming products were analyzed. It was concluded that the environmental concerns of farmers and consumers are key to extend the sustainable farming practice in Japan. Conversion to bottom up policy making process paying attention to farmers' interest with involvement of multi stakeholders including government, researchers and private sectors is effective for sustainable farming extension.

The 9th International Veterinary Immunology Symposium

This special issue of Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology summarizes the Proceedings of the 9th International Veterinary Immunology Symposium (9th IVIS) held August 2010, in Tokyo, Japan. Over 340 delegates from 30 countries discussed research progress analyzing the immune systems of numerous food animals and wildlife, probing basic immunity and the influence of stress, genetics, nutrition, endocrinology and reproduction. Major presentations addressed defense against pathogens and alternative control and prevention strategies including vaccines, adjuvants and novel biotherapeutics. A special Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Co-operative Research Programme Sponsored Conference on “Vaccination and Diagnosis for Food Safety in Agriculture” highlighted the particular issue of “Immunology in Bovine Paratuberculosis”. In April 2010 there was an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in the southern part of Japan. This stimulated a special 9th IVIS session on FMD, sponsored by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) of Japan, to discuss improvements of FMD vaccines, their use in FMD control, and risk assessment for decision management. The 9th IVIS was supported by the Veterinary Immunology Committee (VIC) of the International Union of Immunological Societies (IUIS) and included workshops for its MHC and Toolkit Committees. Finally VIC IUIS presented its 2010 Distinguished Service Award to Dr. Kazuya Yamanouchi for “outstanding contributions to the veterinary immunology community” and its 2010 Distinguished Veterinary Immunologist Award to Dr. Douglas F. Antczak for “outstanding research on equine immunology”.

Breeding Science Special Issue: Soybean breeding in genomic era

Soybean is one of the world’s most important crops, offering a stable source of materials for food, feed, industrial, and pharmaceutical applications. Soybean seeds contain a high content of nutritious protein and oil, and assume an important part of traditional foods in many Asian countries, including Japan. They are also abundant in physiologically active metabolites and functional proteins, and are used as an affordable source of foods that promote and maintain health. Soybean also contributes to soil fertility through nitrogen fixation via symbiotic root bacteroids. Indeed, soybean production has increased the most of all major crops in response to recent increases in global demand for produce. The genomic era is now arriving in soybean, as in other many crops. The release of a genome assembly of the US cultivar ‘Williams 82’ from the US Department of Energy (DOE) Joint Genome Institute (JGI) in 2008 and its publication in 2010 has had a great impact on the understanding of gene function and breeding of soybean. In Japan, a soybean genome project was launched in 2007 with the financial support of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) through its Genomics for Agricultural Innovation. The project consists of three parts: (1) the construction of linkage and physical maps of soybean, and genome sequencing of the Japanese cultivar ‘Enrei’; (2) the identification of genes responsible for agriculturally important traits; and (3) the development of DNA markers for important traits and for the breeding of new lines. Target traits include flood tolerance, disease and pest resistance, and physiological and morphological characters related to productivity. The third part of the project was expanded in a new MAFF project (Development of Mitigation and Adaptation Techniques for to Global Warming in the Sectors of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries) from 2011. In addition, the National Bio-Resource Project (NBRP) Lotus and Glycine, promoted by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), has supported the development of soybean genomic research through the collection, conservation, and distribution of bioresources such as experimental strains, mutants, and cDNA libraries since 2003. All of these activities will boost soybean breeding and science into a new stage in the genomic era. Taking this opportunity, the editorial board of the Japanese Society of Breeding (JSB) decided to dedicate this special issue of Breeding Science to recent domestic and international advances in soybean genetics, genomics, and breeding. The contents comprise several reviews of the extensive knowledge of genomic and genetic resources, key technologies, and agriculturally important traits for understanding gene function and soybean improvement. Original research articles support the key concepts of the review articles. Through this special issue, the editorial board members and the participants hope to contribute to and facilitate further successful improvement of this valuable crop. Members of JSB and several non-member authors willingly accepted an invitation to contribute to this special issue. All the manuscripts were peer-reviewed by a number of local and international scientists. We take this opportunity to thank our colleagues J. Abe, S. Akada, H. Akamatsu, S.B. Cannon, H. Funatsuki, M. Hajika, T. Han, Y. Hayano-Saito, M. Hayashi, A. Kaga, A. Kanazawa, H. Kato, K. Komatsu, Y. Kuroda, B. Liu, K. Naito, K. Nishizawa, S. Sakai, S. Sato, T. Sayama, M. Senda, J. Smith, P. Somta, A. Suzuki, N. Tomooka, D. Vaughan, Y. Wang, S. Watanabe, D. Xu, T. Yamada, N. Yamagishi, N. Yamanaka, H. Yasui, T. Yokoyama for their participation in the review process. Their constructive comments have been invaluable in improving the quality of the articles. Thirteen review papers, ten research papers, and one short communication were accepted for publication. The editors working on the special issue were J. Abe, T. Anai, D. Vaughan, D. Xu, and M. Ishimoto, and the technical editors were N. Tomooka and F. Taguchi-Shiobara. In closing, we would like to acknowledge the two research projects promoted by MAFF, as well as the NBRP Lotus and Glycine promoted by MEXT, for sponsoring this special issue of Breeding Science.

植物工場技術の研究・開発および実証・教育・展示拠点<br>(3)千葉大学

This paper introduces the Plant Factory R&D Center, Chiba University supported by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the plant factory project at Kashiwanoha campus supported by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF).

Role of FAMIC in the securing of consumers′ confidence for the food

FAMIC has as its mission:•To ensure the quality and safety of fertilizer, agricultural chemicals, animal feed and feed additives and soil improvement materials, and•To improve the quality and labeling of agricultural forestry and fishery products, by conducting inspections at various stages of food chain.As an incorporated administrative agency:•FAMIC undertakes its tasks in line with a 5-year strategic plan developed by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.•FAMIC′s performance is evaluated annually by the Evaluation Committees of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) and Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.To improve the quality of agricultural products and to rationalize production and consumption, the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, in accordance with the JAS Law, sets JAS standards for foods and wood products for quality purposes. Agricultural products that meet these standards are entitled to have a JAS label. FAMIC develops new analytical methods and validate JAS analytical methods, while JAS standards are revised.FAMIC purchases food samples from the market for laboratory analysis to assure proper labeling of food, e.g.: •Geographic origin of production; •Types of ingredients used (species and breed varieties of animals or plants) ; •Proportion of ingredients used (buckwheat flour vs. wheat flour in buck wheat noodles) ; •Absence of genetically modified organisms.Should any doubt arise as a result of laboratory analysis, FAMIC conducts on-site inspections of manufacturers with MAFF officials., FAMIC, for example, use simultaneous measurement of multi-element by ICP-MS or ICP-AES to verify the geographic origin of agricultural products, and DNA sequence analysis using PCR techniques to identify different species.For development of analysis methods, FAMIC is involved in research to develop and improve methods used for analysis of food in order to identify geographic origin, different species, proportion of ingredients used, etc, in collaboration with other research institutes, such as national institutes, universities.Today, we present three researches which are conducted by FAMIC.

Assays of the production of harmful substances by genetically modified oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) plants in accordance with regulations for evaluating the impact on biodiversity in Japan

Environmental risk assessment of transgenic crops is implemented under the Cartagena Protocol domestic law in accordance with guidelines for implementing the assessment established by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) and the Ministry of Environment (MOE) in Japan. Environmental risk assessments of transgenic crops are implemented based on the concept of 'substantial equivalence' to conventional crops. A unique requirement in Japan to monitor the production of harmful substances, or allelochemicals, is unparalleled in other countries. The potential for allelochemicals to be secreted from the roots of transgenic crops to affect other plants or soil microflora or for substances in the plant body to affect other plants after dying out must be evaluated. We evaluated the allelopathic potential of seven transgenic oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) lines that express glufosinate tolerance in terms of substantial equivalence to conventional oilseed rape lines, and established evaluation methods. Our results indicate no potential production of allelochemicals for any of the seven transgenic oilseed rape lines compared with conventional oilseed rape lines.

Food with a visible face: Traceability and the public promotion of private governance in the Japanese food system

The years since 2000 have seen a constant stream of high-profile scandals relating to food safety and food labeling in Japan. One response of Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) has been to promote food traceability as a mechanism to improve food safety and to provide reliable information to consumers about their food. MAFF’s main approach to traceability promotion, however, has not involved making traceability mandatory (as has been done in the EU) but encouraging private companies to adopt it. These actions constitute, I argue, an example of the public promotion of private governance. When viewed against the literature on the private governance of food safety and quality, MAFF’s traceability activities are surprising for three reasons: their forms and extent, the relative lack of interest the Ministry has shown in third-party certification, and the way MAFF has responded to concerns about the safety of imported food by focusing almost entirely on domestic traceability. I also argue, however, that looking at the literature from a Japanese perspective suggests that public encouragement is more central to the rise of private governance in the global agri-food system than is usually appreciated.

農林水産省における食育の取組

There are a number of food, nutrition and health issues in Japan: an increase in irregular and nutritionally unbalanced meals, the rise in obesity and lifestyle-related diseases, excessive desire to be slim, especially among young females, a series of incidents related to food safety, over-dependence on food from abroad. In response, the Shokuiku Basic Act was formulated in June 2005 to promote Shokuiku, or Food Education. In March 2006, the Shokuiku Promotion Basic Plan, which consists of basic principles for policies related to Shokuiku promotion, items related to the targets in Shokuiku Promotion, issues related to comprehensive Shokuiku promotion, and issues necessary for comprehensive and systematic promotion of the policies of our country regarding Shokuiku promotion, was implemented. Based on the Basic Act and the Basic Plan, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) is promoting Shokuiku in cooperation with Cabinet Office (CAO), Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW). For example, MHLW and MAFF decided the Japanese Food Guide Spinning Top, which shows the approximate recommended amount and menu of dishes for a day, and MAFF had popularized the Japanese Food Guide Spinning Top through national media. The Shokuiku Promotion Basic Plan will be revised by March 2011. MAFF is taking part in the consideration of revision of the Basic Plan with CAO and relevant Ministries.

Method for DNA Extraction and Purification from Corn-processed Food Using an Ion-exchange Resin Type Kit

The yield of genomic DNA extracted from corn-processed foods, such as corn flake and one of the corn snack what is called "Jumbo corn", using an ion-exchange resin type kit (Gtip) has been reported to be very low, and it is thought to be difficult to detect the intrinsic corn gene "Zein" in the foods. Therefore, we developed a new method using Gtip, which we called the "KNG-Gtip method," by modification of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) method using Gtip (MHLW-Gtip method). We compared the KNG-Gtip method, MHLW-Gtip method, the Gtip method for detection of allergen (ALG-Gtip method), and the Gtip method according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) (JAS-Gtip method) in terms of the yield and quality of genomic DNA and the detection probabilities of the PCR-amplified Zein gene. The concentrations of DNA and the detection probabilities of the PCR-amplified Zein gene of genomic DNA extracted from 4 g corn flake and 4 g Jumbo corn by the KNG-Gtip method were larger than those by using the conventional methods. In addition, the PCR-amplified Zein gene from 4 g of corn starch could be detected by the KNG-Gtip method. We propose that the KNG-Gtip method, in which requires sample weight of four grams, is practical and useful to extract genomic DNA from corn flake and Jumbo corn.

Japan's Agricultural Policy Regime (review)

Reviewed by: Japan's Agricultural Policy Regime Tomohito Shinoda (bio) Japan's Agricultural Policy Regime. By Aurelia George Mulgan. Nissan Institute /Routledge, London, 2006. viii, 246 pages. £75.00. Is Japan really changing? This question is frequently debated by Japan experts. Japan has faced continuing pressure for internationalization, especially since the 1980s. The 1993 political change and the 1994 electoral reform significantly impacted the political scene, leading to stronger powers for the prime minister while reducing the power of factions of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and policy subcommittees. This made it easier for the national leader to introduce reform. In the economic arena, with increasing pressure from the international community, the government continuously introduced economic liberalization and marketization. Some scholars point to the institutional changes of the last two decades and stress that Japan has experienced significant change. T. J. Pempel, for example, declared that a "regime shift" took place in Japan. Other experts [End Page 569] argue that Japan's reform efforts did not change the basic nature of the Japanese government and that the Japanese market is still closed compared with other advanced nations. This book supports the argument of those who believe Japan is not changing by focusing on the continuing bureaucratic behavior in agricultural policymaking despite many pressures toward liberalization. Throughout the postwar era, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) regulated rice distribution and marketing, and the ministry protected rice farming by maintaining a high producer price under the 1942 Food Control Law. With strong support from the ruling party and agricultural interests, the 1961 Agricultural Basic Law was established to protect inefficient farmers and to provide agricultural subsidies, effectively providing MAFF with a "charter of agricultural intervention" (chapter two). With increasing fiscal and international pressure in the 1980s, however, the agricultural policy area could no longer escape liberalization and marketization. Administrative reform efforts, conducted under Prime Minister Nakasone Yasuhiro to reduce the fiscal deficit, targeted areas of "wasteful government expenditures," including the rice-price subsidy program. The 1986 Maekawa Report to the prime minister strongly urged a market opening and structural improvements in agriculture befitting "an age of internationalization." Tokyo offered a series of market-opening measures for agricultural products in order to accept rulings under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) and to reach agreement with the United States (chapter three). Furthermore, in 1993 with increased international pressure, Prime Minister Hosokawa Morihiro accepted the Agreement on Agriculture of GATT's Uruguay Round to open Japan's rice market, which had long been regarded as a political sanctuary. With pressure from competitive farmers, the 1994 Food Law was introduced to allow direct rice sales to retailers and consumers. The law was further revised in 2003 to remove most of the government's control over rice distribution and pricing mechanisms. In addition, the 1999 New Agricultural Basic Law brought a fundamental shift from a price support program to an income compensation system to meet requirements of the World Trade Organization (WTO) (chapters four and five). Despite these apparent liberalization measures, George Mulgan points out that the gap between the rhetoric of MAFF's policy and the reality of actual policy widened in the 1980s (p. 68). The food control system was maintained to keep the gap between the international and domestic prices for rice. No serious structural change was made to drive away inefficient farmers. Opening the market for agricultural products provided MAFF with control over subsidies to prepare and compensate producers. In return for the 1993 opening of the rice market, for example, the LDP demanded large-scale countermeasures for farmers and rural areas which allowed MAFF to use a [End Page 570] massive fund of ¥6 trillion over six years. More than half of the fund went into "MAFF-allocated public works programmes covering both the agricultural and rural sectors" (pp. 87–88). The 1999 New Agricultural Basic Law authorized "continuing intrusive government intervention in agriculture" (p. 116). The author argues that MAFF constantly put priority on maximizing its influence on agricultural policies. Her hypotheses highlight various points surrounding this argument: that the ministry strongly resisted policy proposals that would reduce its...

Introduction: Restorative Custom: Ethnographic Perspectives on Conflict and Local Justice in Timor

Click to increase image sizeClick to decrease image size Notes 1. Comissão de Acolhimento, Verdade e Reconciliação. 2. União Democrática Timorense (Timorese Democratic Union). 3. The survey was undertaken in December 2002, and canvassed the views of 1114 respondents selected from all districts of the nation. 4. There are dissenting views on the adaptive possibilities of cultural conventions to deal with issues of injustice. The reported high incidence of domestic violence perpetrated against Timorese women is one such issue which is attributed to entrenched patriarchal traditions (Sousa 2005 Sousa , R. de ( 2005 ) ‘Women of Timor Leste: seeking freedom in a free nation’ , Development Bulletin , no. 68 , pp. 34 – 5 . [Google Scholar]). 5. See Linton (2001 Linton, S. 2001. ‘Rising from the ashes: the creation of a viable criminal system in East Timor’. Melbourne University Law Review, 25: 122–80. [Google Scholar]) for an examination of some of the background and challenges of reinstituting a criminal legal system. 6. In January 2005 none of the national judges managed to pass their probationary evaluations, leaving a significant role for international judges in the administration of justice until at least 2007 (Ministry of Planning and Finance 2006 Ministry of Planning and Finance ( 2006 ) General Budget of the State 2005–06, Budget Paper No. 1 , Ministry of Planning and Finance , Dili . [Google Scholar], p. 27). 7. Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), Ministerio da Agricultura, Florestal e Pesce. 8. It should be noted that, to date, the National Government of Timor Leste has resisted calls to formally recognise traditional forms of justice and dispute resolution through regulation. Additional informationNotes on contributorsAndrew McWilliamAndrew McWilliam is a fellow in the Department of Anthropology, Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies, The Australian National University