The ministry's project is designed to address the national priority of building an enhanced food supply chain network. Key objectives are to encourage every food supplier, from producers to retailers, to develop business continuity plans and to strengthen collaboration networks for disaster and emergency response among food suppliers.

Accenture will analyze the cases where the food supply chain became dysfunctional in an emergency, such as during the Great East Japan Earthquake, and the cases where it functioned well due to cooperation among business partners. Following the analysis, Accenture will propose guidelines for collaborative agreements among food suppliers aimed at maintaining business operations during disasters and emergencies. Accenture will also hold meetings and workshops for food suppliers nationwide to disseminate the new guidelines and to support the development of advanced business continuity plans.

"It is a great honor for Accenture to partner with the Ministry to establish a more stable food supply chain system for the good of nation," said Joichi Ebihara, Accenture's lead executive on the project. "The initiative will not just improve the resilience of Japan's food supply chain but help to strengthen the agility and competitiveness of suppliers, producers and retailers."

Source: Accenture