Will the core entity of Japan's monster agricultural conglomerate survive mounting public criticism of its huge vested interests?
That question remained unanswered Friday as a deregulation panel submitted a policy recommendation to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe that includes a call to reform the Central Union of Agricultural Co-operatives, better known as JA-Zenchu.
JA-Zenchu has long been criticized as a roadblock to reforming the heavily protected agricultural sector, in particular rice farming.