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Mr. Shoichi Nakagawa Appointed Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
The third Koizumi reshuffled cabinet was launched on October 31. Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi appointed Mr. Shoichi Nakagawa as Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries for the second time to deal with the new multilateral trade negotiating round under the World Trade Organization (WTO). He was Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry in the previous cabinet. Mr. Taro Aso was appointed Minister for Foreign Affairs and Mr. Toshihiro Nikai, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry.
As regards the policy stance vis-a-vis WTO negotiations in agriculture, Agriculture Minister Shoichi Nakagawa presented his posture, on November 1, to do all he can to strike a way forward to the talks by making positive participation in the negotiations to have Japanese stance reflected. On the controversial issue of tariff capping, he said he "would keep the stance to oppose, but there is little room to be optimistic."
Referring to "the Framework of Farming Business and Incomes Stabilization Measures," he emphasized to pour resources to foster core farming entities saying, "I will support the development of willing and capable farm households and community farming."
On the question of lifting the import ban of beef from north America, he said "Safety of food is the big precondition. I will proceed on the matter, with the securing of safety in mind and following due steps such as public comments." He did not say when the import will be resumed.
Other cabinet level appointments include Mr. Jiro Kawasaki as Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare, Mr. Kouki Chuma as Minister of State for Administrative Reform, Regulatory Reform, Special Zones for Structural Reform, and Regional Revitalization, Mr. Iwao Matsuda (a member of the House of Councilors) as Minister of State for Food Safety. The latter two are the first timers in cabinet.
On November 2, Mr. Issui Miura was appointed Senior Vice Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries from among member of the House of Councilors while Mr. Mitsuhiro Miyakoshi was retained as other Senior Vice Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries picked from among member of the House of Representatives. Mr. Yasushi Kaneko and Mr. Toshifumi Kosehira (a member of the House of Councilors) were appointed Parliamentary Secretaries of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
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