Overview of the Forum 2005

Following the address by Mr. Satoshi Iue, the Representative Director of the Asia Pacific Forum Awaji Conference Japan, four individuals gave their keynote proposals while the forum was moderated by Mr. Kenichi Sudo, a professor and the Dean of the Faculty of Cross-Cultural Studies of Kobe University, and Mr. Toshiyuki Kako, a professor of the Faculty of Agriculture of Kobe University.

Firstly, Mr. Satoshi Iue, the Executive Director of SANYO Electric Co., Ltd. stated that, "In order to strengthen the agriculture sector, a system whereby industries help agriculture must be established," and gave an explanation on the measures implemented by SANYO Electric Co., Ltd., such as the agricultural corporations which have been newly established.

Mr. Keiji Ohga, a professor at the College of Bioresource Sciences of Nihon University, recommended that, "A permanently established organization that discusses and adjusts the issues of food and agriculture, such as food security, is necessary as the Asian countries are increasingly becoming more mutually interdependent with one another in terms of agriculture and food. As such, the modality of food security must be considered in the Asian Economic Community, with the ASEAN+3 serving as its central body."

Mr. Shiro Segawa, the Chief Editor of the Science and Environment News Department, The Mainichi Newspapers, studied the theory proposed by Mr. Lester Brown in "Who will feed China?," and concluded that, "Although Mr. Brown's view is to the extreme, we cannot deny the possibility that the demand for food by China will grow to become a serious issue." Moreover, Mr. Segawa recommended (1) review the consumption system of the advanced countries for the lost food products and others, and (2) start a comprehensive project research in order to escape food shortages, both under the assumption that food shortages may occur in the future.

Lastly, Ms. Mihoko Tamamura, the Director of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) Office in Japan, reported on the current situation of starvation in the world that, "The majority of the people suffering from starvation are women and children," as well as explained the activities implemented by the WFP. Furthermore, she stressed on the importance to eradicate starvation of children as it obstructs the development of their brain and sensory systems. In addition, Ms. Tamamura emphasized that, "The issue of undernourishment and malnutrition cannot be solved by the United Nations alone. I ask for a broad range of support."

The second half of the forum, which was reconvened after lunch, consisted of free and active debates among the members and the guests, each sharing their views from the perspectives they specialize in.

The two-day long Awaji Conference Japan came to an end with Mr. Makoto Iokibe, a professor at the Graduate School of Law of Kobe University, reading the preliminary draft of the Statement of the Awaji Conference Japan which covered the four areas _Global Food Challenges, Rapid Growth of the Asian Economy and Food Problems, Food Problems in Japan, and Japan's Roles _ that was consented and confirmed by all roughly 80 people that attended the forum.