text: **Roundtable session: SMBC Food and Agricultural Assessment Loan**
  
  A roundtable session with experts held in August 2011 
  considered the role of the new SMBC Food and Agricultural 
  Assessment Loan in improving the food supply chain that 
  links food and fishery producers with food processors and 
  consumers. Opinions were also exchanged on what other 
  future role the bank might assume in this regard, given 
  the current situation and issues facing the food industry 
  and agriculture 
  in Japan. 
  
  **Key comments of participants**
  
  Katsutoshi Konuma, Section Manager, Social & Environmental Management, Asahi Breweries Ltd. 
  “We want to deliver value by creating demand and quality combined with safety, peace 
  of mind and trust.” 
  
  Yasuhiro Nakashima Associate Professor Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, 
  The University of Tokyo 
  “Eating should be something that generates emotion. New potential exists in the world of cuisine.” 
  Daisuke Yamamoto, Vice Senior Consultant, Research Department, 
  The Japan Research Institute, Limited 
  “As consumer tastes go through a time of great change, I think it is important to 
  prioritize ingredients and the attitude of customers toward eating.” 
  Yoichiro Fukayama, Planning Dept., Deputy Head (with powers of representation) of 
  the Corporate Banking Unit & Middle Market Banking Unit, SMBC 
  “An important concept is multilateral dialogue as the number of parties involved in food 
  production increases throughout the supply chain.” 
  Moderated by Kenji Sawami, Partner, Ernst & Young ShinNihon LLC 