Following the recent meeting of the FAO/WHO Coordinating Committee for Asia (CCASIA), the Codex Secretariat learnt that Dr Yayoi Tsujiyama retired from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan at the beginning of October. Dr. Tsujiyama, has long been involved in many multilateral food safety fora including Codex, serving as Vice-Chairperson of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) from 2014-2017 and as Coordinator for CCASIA from 2011 to 2014.

During her service as Vice-Chairperson of CAC, she also led the Sub-Committee of Executive Committee dedicated to management of work carried out by committees working by correspondence, which marked a milestone in resolving procedural gaps and opening new ways of working for Codex.

Yayoi Tsujiyama (right) always gifted in skilfully taking the tension out of complex situations, pictured here at CAC39 in 2017 (Rome) with Codex Secretary Tom Heilandt and Anne Beutling from the Codex Secretariat

Codex Chairperson Guilherme da Costa who worked with Tsujiyama for over 14 years, also serving together as Vice-Chairpersons of the Commission from 2014-2017 said: “When we talk about food safety worldwide, when we talk about Codex Alimentarius, science, professionalism, commitment, humility or when we talk about human qualities … we must remember Yayoi Tsujiyama.” In wishing her well for her retirement, Da Costa also complimented Tsujiyama for her huge contribution to work in her field for Japan, the Asian region, the world and especially for the Codex family. “She has been a source of learning for all those who deal with food safety, fair practices in food trade and negotiation”, he said.

A massive contribution to Codex.

Codex Secretary Tom Heilandt said: “Yayoi made a massive contribution to Codex. Aside from her dedicated leadership in so many different areas, she has always strongly upheld core values of working together and ensuring transparency on the big issues whilst also possessing a remarkable eye for detail”.

Leading the Japanese delegation in her last Codex meeting: CCASIA21 - Goa, India 2019

The Codex Secretariat invites the entire Codex community to join in thanking Yayoi Tsujiyama for her contribution to Codex work and in wishing her all the best for her future endeavors. “We hope she will continue working with us even from behind the scenes, so that we will have more opportunities to benefit from her knowledge, skills and experience”.