One of the new law's functions is its diplomatic role representing
Japan's agricultural
position before the world. The law is, in a way, the constitution of
food, agriculture and the
agricultural community in Japan, and has been established through extensive
debate in the
National Diet, a true consensus of the Japanese public.
The new WTO negotiation begin in the year 2000, and we anticipate
increasing pressure
on Japan by the food exporting nations. I would like to point out, however,
that presently Japan
is already the number one food importer in the entire world. In the
"Fundamental Law," there is
an expression, "sovereign right over fundamental foods." This law is the
manifestation of the
will of the Japanese people, reaching a consensus through the democratic
process, before the
world that Japan's food and agricultural security should be a matter of
sovereignty and should be
recognized as such by the rest of the world. The "Fundamental Law" thus
should serve as a
powerful instrument for the Japanese people to demonstrate their true
concerns on these issues.
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