New agriculture minister Arata Takebe has said that thorough “scientific discussions” must be held on a plan to lift the ban on imports of fresh potatoes from the United States.

The discussions will take “considerable time,” he also said in an interview with Jiji Press on Monday.

Many Japanese producers have expressed concerns about the plan, including those in Hokkaido, which includes Takebe’s electoral district and accounts for about 80% of domestic potato production.

The plan “should progress after thorough scientific and technical discussion,” he said. “I know the (U.S.) side has strong expectations, but the ban on imports will not be lifted without sufficient discussions or an agreement acceptable to both sides.”

Takebe said that the discussions will cover workable risk management on 21 pests and diseases for which measures to prevent their spread need to be considered, and that it will take “considerable time” to gain mutual acceptance.

Regarding rice, he said that the supply-demand conditions are easing considerably.

Takebe declined to comment directly on rice prices, saying they are determined through private-sector transactions. But he emphasized the importance of bringing them to levels that allow producers to reinvest and continue production while remaining acceptable to consumers.

“The role of stockpiled rice is to prepare for supply shortages,” Takebe said, adding that the government will buy back rice to shore up its decreased stockpiles for the staple food appropriately and systematically while taking into account the supply-demand situation.

He denied a weekly magazine report alleging that he had paid a photographer involved in his election campaign.

The photographer “did not act as a campaign worker,” Takebe said. “I’ve never given the photographer discretion over my online campaign strategy, nor have I paid him for any such work.”