A news outlet from Japan reports the Central Union of Agricultural Cooperatives’ presidential race is likely to be a tame affair as there are hardly any differences between the two candidates.
Okuno, 68, is the president of Mie Prefectural Union of Agricultural Cooperatives, while Nakaya, 65, serves as the president of Wakayama Prefectural Union of Agricultural Cooperatives.
They will be tested on how well they explain their plans to reform the nation’s agricultural cooperatives system following the election, including how they will deal with the bill on revising the Agricultural Cooperatives Law. The bill is currently under deliberation at the Diet.
The election was called after the incumbent president, Akira Banzai, expressed his intention to step down. Voting will be conducted by 251 delegates, with the deadline set for July 2. The ballots will be counted immediately after voting ends, with the result officially approved at an extraordinary general meeting on Aug. 11.”
Sources say neither candidate has gone into detail about the promotion of agriculture, or on reform of the agricultural cooperatives system. Observers are skeptical about the election saying there are no major differences between the two candidates.