Local News

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries released the results of its first survey on its policy of reducing acreage to adjust rice production. Farmers nationwide were roughly split 50-50 on whether the policy should be maintained or strengthened on the one hand, or eliminated or relaxed on the other. There was a slight majority in favor of the former in Kyushu at 51.7%, compared to 45.9% nationwide. Only 9.9% of Kyushu farmers thought it should be eliminated, compared to 13.1% for the country as a whole.