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Japan’s Agriculture Minister Vows Tough U.S. Potato Import Talks

By Drooid · Oct 20, 2026, 10:44 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Agriculture Minister Arata Takebe said the government will take a firm stance in negotiations on U.S. potato imports on Oct. 15.
Takebe, appointed agriculture minister last week, is a six-term Lower House member and son of a former minister.
He represents a Hokkaido district that supplies about 80% of Japan’s potatoes, where farmer opposition to U.S. imports is growing.
Takebe acknowledged domestic farmers’ worries about the import increase during his remarks.

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Story summary

Agriculture Minister Arata Takebe said the government will take a firm stance in negotiations on U.S. potato imports on Oct. 15.
Takebe, appointed agriculture minister last week, is a six-term Lower House member and son of a former minister.
He represents a Hokkaido district that supplies about 80% of Japan’s potatoes, where farmer opposition to U.S. imports is growing.
Takebe acknowledged domestic farmers’ worries about the import increase during his remarks.