Abstract
In this panel talk, the three panelists, Ms. Yutaka Arai, Mr. Norio Yamaguchi, and Mr. Yasuhiro Nakajima, talked about the Japanese food system and related policies at that time of the publication of Volume 7 of the association's book series of “Food System” and the changes since that time. In addition, they covered two topics; food safety and offensive food system. The followings points are a few of the highlights from the discussion. When Volume 7 was published, food safety was a major problem but later, as the administrative changes put in place to deal with the problem started to take effect, concern about food safety decreased. On the other hand, the problem of shrinking domestic demand caused by an aging population and declining birth rate led to focus on creating an offensive food system for a globalized world and need to promote food exports. The discussion of this problem drew attention to the importance of food safety certification for food exports. The panel discussed several innovations that will needed in the future, such as using artificial intelligence(AI), cyclical formation for further sustainability, and the standardization of new values of food. Furthermore, in this discussion it was confirmed that an offensive food system means properly contributing to the development of a humane food system and food system policies have important roles to play in these issues.
