KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 7 — The Asean – Japan Midori Cooperation Plan would further strengthen regional cooperation in assisting member states to deal with climate-related challenges in the agricultural sector, said Japanese Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Ichiro Miyashita.
The plan, adopted during the Asean-Japan conference held within the framework of the 45th Asean Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry (Amaf) meeting this week, provides opportunities for Asean member countries, including Malaysia, to gain exposure to Japanese agricultural technologies and innovations.
Japan formulated the Midori strategy in 2021 for sustainable food systems to improve both the productivity and sustainability of agriculture through innovation simultaneously.
“We think many technologies and innovations gained through this effort apply to Asean countries.
“With Midori in mind, through the adopted Asean-Japan Midori Cooperation Plan, we will select projects to be undertaken in cooperation with Asean member states on their actual conditions and needs, and we would like to move from the demonstration stage to the dissemination state,” he told Bernama in an exclusive interview on the sideline of the Amaf Plus Three, held in conjunction with 45th Amaf meeting, hosted by Malaysia.
Miyashita said Malaysia has expressed high interest in a wide range of ongoing/ underway projects under the plan, and moving forward, both states will closely discuss to identify which projects to be prioritised.
Amaf meeting is an annual gathering to strengthen Asean’s position as a global food basket, in addition to driving closer cooperation among member countries to preserve food security in the region. Also attending the 45th AMAF was Asean secretary-general Kao Kim Hourn.
Miyashita noted that as this year marks the 50th anniversary of friendship and cooperation between Asean and Japan, the Midori Cooperation Plan will be a major achievement in the agricultural sector.
“We should be able to achieve food security for the entire region by working together to build sustainable agriculture and food systems, and Japan would like to make maximum contribution in this regard,” he said.
Particularly on palm oil, Miyashita said Japan would also be keen on further strengthening partnerships through the Asean – Japan Midori Cooperation Plan.
In compliance with the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) Certification scheme and standard, Japan will publish a draft guideline on respect for human rights this month and target Japanese food businesses.
“In this way, we will ensure workers’ human rights are respected in Japan and other countries where raw materials, including palm oil, are produced.
“We plan to develop not only trade relationships but also technical cooperation in agriculture and foodstuff. Thus, we hope to build a win-win relationship in a wide range of areas,” he said, noting MSPO has been recognised as a code of sustainable procurement for the Osaka Kansai Expo to be held in 2025.
On Tokyo’s controversial move to discharge the Advanced Liquid Processing Systems (ALPS) treated water into the sea, Miyashita said there is growing understanding among the international community, as was seen at the recent IAEA General Conference where countries of broad regions of the world including Malaysia expressed their understanding and support for the discharge.
He affirmed that Japan will continue to explain the safety of Japanese marine products based on scientific evidence, including monitoring data in a highly transparent and sincere manner.
Japan started to release the treated water into the Pacific Ocean on August 24, with the second batch of 7,800 metric tonnes of treated water released on October 6.
It plans to complete all water release in phases from the Fukushima nuclear power plant by March 31, 2024.
— Bernama
