Developing Agricultural Entrepreneurs: A Project for Japan

January 16-21, 2016

About Japan

In April 2001, Japan imposed import tariffs on agricultural goods from China which led to trade conflicts. These tariffs protected local Japanese farmers as they did not have to compete with lower foreign prices.The devastating earthquake and tsunami of march 2011 left miles of shoreline uninhabitable and contaminated food supply in Japan. Despite recovery efforts, agriculture in Japan provides less than 40% of the food demand [2]. In 2013 Japan joined the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a free trade agreement among 11 other countries including the United States. Since joining, Japan makes up 40% of the economic output as they are the third largest economy in the world [1]. Although the TPP was seen as a threat to certain sectors, specifically farming, it has provided economic growth and international business opportunity expansion.

About the Program

The IVLP is a professional exchange program that seeks to build mutual understanding between the U.S. and other nations through carefully designed short-term visits to the U.S. for current and emerging foreign leaders. Over the last 70 years, the IVLP has developed into the premier professional exchange program in the U.S. and brings over 200 emerging leaders to Jacksonville every year.

[1] http://www.bbc.com/news/business-21799683

[2] http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-pacific-14918801