More than 2,000 representatives of farm groups from Japan and nine other countries demonstrated Friday in Tokyo against plans for a substantial reduction in agricultural tariffs.

The protest took place in Hibiya Park, next to the Imperial Hotel where informal World Trade Organization talks were scheduled to start in the evening.

The farming representatives, along with several dozen lawmakers, slammed the so-called Harbinson proposal, saying it would only benefit the United States and some other farm exporters.