The Ninth Plenary Meeting was held, following the First Administrative Meeting, on May 24, 2005. The keynote speaker was ITO Kenichi, Director-General for Policy Coordination, Minister's Secretariat, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, who spoke on "Japan's Basic Thoughts on Agricultural Reforms and International Negotiation Measures." This was followed by a lively exchange of opinions.

    Mr. ITO stated that, "agricultural reform is not being done as a result of pressure form outside, but because there are issues in agriculture itself that require reform." To this the members in attendance expressed their high expectations for the success of the reforms.