Politics of the potato front and center for Japan’s new agriculture minister

Agriculture minister Arata Takebe represents a district in Hokkaido, the prefecture that grows most of Japan's domestically sourced potatoes. | Reuters

Oct 20, 2026

Agriculture minister Arata Takebe, appointed last week, begins his term with a potato problem on his hands, as opposition is growing among his constituents to an increase in potato imports from the United States.

Takebe is a six-term Lower House member and the son of a former agriculture minister. He represents a district in Hokkaido, which supplies about 80% of Japan’s domestically grown potatoes and where opposition to the U.S. potato push is growing.

“I understand there are many worries from domestic farmers regarding the import of more U.S. potatoes, and the government will take a firm stance in its negotiations,” Takebe said on Oct. 15.

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