"The World and Japan" Database (Project Leader: TANAKA Akihiko)
Database of Japanese Politics and International Relations
National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS); Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia (IASA), The University of Tokyo

[Title] Joint Statement on Agricultural Cooperation

[Place]
[Date] November 1, 2015
[Source] Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
[Notes]
[Full text]

We, the leaders of the Republic of Korea, Japan and the People's Republic of China, shared the view that that agriculture is not only the food supply source but also a key industry with multifunctional roles that includes conserving national lands and preserving the natural environment.

We acknowledged the importance of the trilateral cooperation for sustainable agricultural growth and stable food supply in the region, and welcomed the valuable accomplishment made in the Second Trilateral Agricultural Ministerial Meeting held in Tokyo, Japan on September 13, 2015, as follows.

- Food security is ensured by three elements, increasing domestic production, appropriate import and stocks. As net food importing countries, Trilateral Agriculture Ministers (TAM) shared the view that sustainably increasing domestic production capacity is very important for our food security.

- It is indispensable to cooperate to address cross-border animal and plant diseases, noting the achievement of the symposium on prevention and control of foot and mouth disease in East Asia hosted by the Republic of Korea, Japan and the People's Republic of China. TAM signed the Memorandum of Cooperation on Response against Transboundary Animal Diseases.

- Since the natural disasters cause serious damage to our agriculture and economy, TAM discussed the possibility of conducting mutual cooperation among the three countries in case of the outbreak of natural disasters. In addition, they would examine the means to ensure sustainable agricultural production capacity to cope with ongoing climate change.

- Biomass energy plays an important role in cutting emissions, preventing air

pollution, tackling climate change, and advancing circular agriculture.

- TAM recognized the importance of supporting the development of East Asia type agriculture on a sustainable basis through the various studies and knowledge of the agricultural research.

-TAM shared the view that the 6th industrialization of agriculture that combines agriculture with processing and hands-on experience is crucial to invigorate agriculture and rural areas.

-TAM shared the view that it is indispensable for our agricultural development to accelerate trilateral FTA negotiations among the Republic of Korea, Japan and the People's Republic of China to achieve a Win - Win - Win situation while considering various concerns and interests of each country.

- As net food importing countries, TAM recognized that it is necessary to further strengthen communication and coordination of policies and positions within the global and regional multilateral frameworks such as G20, FAO, OIE, IPPC, APEC and ASEAN +3.

- TAM determined to establish the Senior Officials Meeting Mechanism to interview the progress of the implementation as well as any other issues.

Noting that the Korea-China-Japan Trilateral Agricultural Ministers' Meeting, together with the cooperation in the area of agriculture, contributes significantly to the enhancement of friendly relations among the three countries, we supported the holding of the Third Trilateral Agricultural Ministers' Meeting in the People's Republic of China.