Japan Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

Introduction: The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (農林水産省 Nōrin-suisan-shō?) a cabinet ministry in the government of Japan responsible for oversight of the agriculture, forestry and fishing industries. Its acronym is MAFF.

The Constitution of the Empire of Japan provided for the creation of a Ministry of Agriculture and Commerce (農商務省 Nōshōmu-shō?), which was established in 1881, with Tani Tateki as its first minister.

In 1925, the commerce functions were separated out into a separate Ministry of Commerce (商工省 Shōkō-shō?), and the ministry was renamed the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (農林省 Nōrin-shō?). The ministry was also given responsibility for oversight of the Factory Act of 1903, which provided regulations for work hours and worker safety in both industrial and agricultural industries.

From 1943 to 1945, when the Ministry of Commerce was abolished due to the nationalization of Japanese industry for the war effort, parts of that ministry reverted to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, which was again briefly named Ministry of Agriculture and Commerce (農商省 Nōshō-shō?).

In 1978, the name of Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry was expanded to its present form to better reflect the ministry's role in guaranteeing the Japanese public a safe food supply, and to protect producers and workers in the food production industries.

Currently, Yoshimasa Hayashi hold this post as minister.