Japan Voices Worry over Rice Imports in White Paper

Tokyo, May 29 (Jiji Press)–The Japanese government expressed concern about the impact of a sharp increase in private-sector rice imports on domestic rice production in an annual white paper adopted Friday. The fiscal 2025 white paper on food, agriculture and rural areas noted that private-sector imports surged after retail prices of rice in May 2025 roughly doubled from a year before. “If this trend continues, demand for domestic staple rice will decrease, which will affect domestic production,” the report warned. It cited an inaccurate demand forecast by the agriculture ministry as a factor behind the jump in rice prices, finding that the decision to release government-stockpiled rice amid a shortage of the grain was delayed. “We could not dispel the anxiety among wholesalers and others, which led to further price hikes,” it explained. The white paper also discussed the stable supply of goods used in agricultural production, such as chemical fertilizers and feed, for which Japan relies heavily on imports. “Food security risks are increasing” due to high import prices and disrupted exports from producer countries, it said, pointing to the need to expand the utilization of domestic resources and reduce the use of chemical fertilizers. Regarding tensions in the Middle East, the white paper said the government will assess the situation and take measures to ensure the stable supply of fuel oil and petroleum products, as Japan’s agriculture, forestry and fisheries sector relies on fossil fuels for over 90 pct of the energy it uses. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]