Japan’s Prime Minister Kishida Emphasizes the Importance of Advancing Animal Welfare

On December 11, 2023, lawmaker Seiichi Kushida asked Prime Minister Fumio Kishida about animal welfare at a plenary session of the House of Councilors, the upper chamber of Japan’s parlimament. Mr. Kushida explained how animal welfare efforts will impact investment and the country’s economy. “In the policy speech of the agriculture minister, there was absolutely no mentioning of animal welfare. Is it that animals don’t matter as long as people are happy? Animals are not objects. What is your perception of Japan being rated as the world’s coldest country to animals?,” he confronted the prime minister.

In response to this question, Prime Minister Kishida emphasized the need to promote animal welfare, stating

In light of the global rating Mr. Kushida mentioned, it is necessary for Japan’s livestock industry to steadily promote animal welfare, which involves keeping livestock in comfortable conditions and reducing their stress.

Prime Minister Kishida’s answer was also important as he emphasized that “food-related companies that use domestic livestock products as raw materials” should be involved in this effort. The government has recognized that animal welfare is an issue that must be addressed not only by producers, but by food companies as well.

In comparison, Mr. Suga, who was Japan’s prime minister in 2021, said, “I understand that the purpose [of animal welfare] is to treat animals with care.” In less than three years since that remark, the country has changed its stance and has come to recognize that animal welfare is an important issue that must be addressed by all companies handling food products.

Needless to say, the government’s efforts are still insufficient. Japanese food companies must move ahead of the government of the country, which ranks among the lowest in the world in animal welfare. We hope that animal welfare will not be put on the back burner, but that effective goals are immediately set and incorporated into business.

（A transcript of the full text of the questions and answers below:）

Full text of the exchange at the plenary session on animal welfare:

Questions by Mr. Kushida:

ESG investments currently hold a large share of the global investment market. In 2020, they totaled $35.3 trillion, or 5,000 trillion Japanese yen, accounting for 36% of global investments. Animal welfare is very much related to the criteria for ESG. At this year’s ordinary Diet session, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Nomura stated that the number of investment institutions focusing on animal welfare is on the rise.

If Japan can attract investment from around the world, the Japanese economy will be revitalized and the demand for the yen will increase. If Japan lags behind in this area of global interest, investment in the country will be discouraged, leading to a decline in the yen’s demand. World Animal Protection has ranked Japan’s animal welfare for farm animals status as the lowest in the world, and in a question-and-answer session of this year’s ordinary Diet session of the agriculture committee, the executive director of the National Federation of Agricultural Co-operative Associations, or Zen-Noh, stated that one of the three important issues concerning animal husbandry is to firmly take action on animal welfare. This shows the sense of urgency that Zen-Noh, which can be considered the voice of producers, recognizes animal welfare as an important issue that cannot be overlooked.

We believe that promoting animal welfare is not only kind to animals, but also enriches the nation and brings warmth to people’s hearts. And yet, what about the government’s measures in this sector in fiscal 2022? In the speech of the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, there was not a single mention of the phrase “animal welfare.” As long as people are happy, animals don’t matter? Animals are not objects. What is the Prime Minister’s perception of Japan being rated as the world’s coldest country to animals? I would like to ask from the perspective of animal welfare and ESG investment. Our party, Nippon Ishin no Kai, has proposed realistic measures to increase disposable income. By seizing upon global trends such as animal welfare, we will make Japan a country that we can be proud of, friendly to both people and animals. Thank you for your kind attention.

Prime Minister Kishida’s Response:

Mr. Kushida asked about animal welfare and ESG investment. In light of the global rating he mentioned, we believe that Japan’s livestock industry needs to steadily promote animal welfare, which involves keeping livestock in comfortable conditions and reducing its stress. This is extremely important from the perspective of attracting ESG investment to Japanese companies, including food-related companies that use domestic livestock products as raw materials, as animal welfare is becoming more and more important in ESG investment

In July of this year, we established guidelines for animal husbandry and management in line with international standards. We will monitor the implementation of these guidelines and, based on the results, work to promote animal husbandry and management with animal welfare in mind.