“Interview with Minister Counselor for Agricultural Affairs Geoffrey Wiggin of the American Embassy in Japan: Will convey food culture and promote mutual understanding between Japan and U.S.”

Fuji Sankei Business i (Full)

March 31, 2009

-- You launched a website for consumers in February to advertise American food products and food culture (www.myfood.jp). What is the purpose of the website?

"We want to convey the 'heart' and 'soul' of American food to Japanese consumers by giving a 'face' to a wide variety of farm products exported to Japan. While Japanese consumers are becoming increasingly concerned about food safety and peace of mind, there is strong concern about low food self-sufficiency. I am proud that the U.S. has served as an important and reliable food supplier for Japan. I would like to promote mutual understanding between the two countries by providing information on U.S. food production and food culture.

-- What kind of information would you like to provide?

"The U.S. has various traditional cuisines but. has also fostered a variety of food cultures by accepting tastes and ingredients from all over the world. We will convey this cultural variety through recipes and columns (on the website). Japan's 'sushi' has become the world's 'SUSHI,' leading, for example, to the creation of California rolls. It is not known widely that the U.S. is the world's largest organic food grower. I believe that if we correctly convey information on American food and agriculture, Japanese consumers will feel safe about American food."

-- What is your view on eliminating anxieties over genetically modified foods and BSE?

"It has been more than 10 years since genetically modified foods were put into practical use. I am sure that providing scientific information, such as that the U.S. has substantially reduced the use of pesticide, taking the greatest care, based on longstanding research, would lead to setting people's fear about food safety at rest. Concerning the BSE issue, I understand the concerns felt by Japanese people, who have acute food awareness. I would like Japanese people to understand that U.S. beef is handled, based on global guidelines, and the beef supplied to American people is the same as beef exported. I think seeking stricter separate (export) conditions would mean depriving an opportunity to eat safe American beef for reasonable prices. Narrowing the range of options would not be wise for Japan as well."

-- What is your view on the development of Japan-U.S. relations in terms of agricultural products?

"Japan is an important market for the U.S. It also sees the U.S. as one of its stable food suppliers that support its people's eating.  Trade volume will likely shrink due to the global recession since last fall. However, the relationship of trust between the two countries will not change basically. Japan is a leader of biotechnology research. I hope that the U.S. and Japan can increase opportunities to support each other by transferring state-of-the-art technologies companies and universities have to American agriculture."

Geoffrey Wiggin: 59 years old. Graduated from the Stanford University Philosophy Department. Earned a master's degree from Hawaii University. Entered Agriculture Department Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) in 1981, and has beenin the current post since October 2008, after serving in Italy and Russia as FAS officer. This is the third time for him to serve in Japan. Born in South Dakota.

(Interviewer: Keiko Yamada)