Farm minister Shinjiro Koizumi downplayed criticism on Friday over his ministry's handling of a licensing deal for a prized grape variety that sparked an official protest from producers. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/09/26/japan/politics/koizumi-grape/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #politics #shinjirokoizumi #agriculture #maff #fruit #newzealand #yamanashi