Jaoan to force sale of GFukushima produce?

New law to force stores to sell produce from Fukushima?

Enenews,

3 January, 2013

Fukushima Minpo’s Jan. 3, 2013 report on their recent interview with Masako Mori, the ‘minister in charge of dealing with declining number of children’ (elected to the Upper House from District in Fukushima Prefecture), translated by EXSKF:

[...]

[Mori said] the government will aim to pass the legislation to promote the sale of Fukushima produce and goods, in order to clearly show [to the public] how the national government stands on the issue of baseless rumor damages. It is considered that Mr. Mori’s agency [Consumer Affairs Agency] and related agencies and ministries will decide on the details [of the legislation]. In summary, the legislation would “designate Fukushima Prefecture as the “special zone”, and enable the national government to order retailers to sell locally-produced goods and to extend preferential treatment to retailers who sell such goods in the storefronts”, Ms. Mori explained.

The Constitution guarantees “freedom of commerce”. It remains to be seen whether the legislation can legally force retailers.

[…]

EXSKF adds, “It’s not very clear [...] whether this legislation is intended for retailers only in Fukushima, or any retailers anywhere. (The more I read it, it feels the legislation will be for the retailers everywhere in Japan, but not 100% sure.)”