Japan to allow private sector to run food wholesale markets

December 1, 2017

Tokyo- Japan's government and ruling camp plan to allow the private sector to open and manage central food wholesale markets, informed sources have told Jiji Press.

The move is aimed at enhancing the distribution of agricultural and fishery products in the country using ideas from private companies.

Under the plan, the government will remain involved in certain roles, including crafting plans for developing markets and overseeing operators, to ensure the stable supply of food, the sources said.

Currently, Japan's 64 central food wholesale markets are run by prefectural or city authorities.

The government and ruling bloc plan to adopt final plans for food wholesale market reform, including enabling the private-sector involvement, as early as next week, the sources said.

On Wednesday, the agriculture ministry proposed that private companies be allowed to open and run central food wholesale markets under certain conditions. The proposal called on the government to stop crafting market development plans.

But the proposal drew concerns from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and farm lobbies that producers would be put at a disadvantageous position on a private-sector market. Jiji Press