U.S. OK with Japan's planned release of imported rice

Saturday 17th May, 04:31 AM JST

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7 Comments

the_sicilian at 07:21 AM JST - 17th May

It's not as if the rice is not popular, the Japanese rice market happens to be one of the most, if not the most protected industry in Japan.

Kind of like another country breaking in to the...Wait, you can get anything the USA offers made in China. My bad.

Addiu
OssanULTRA at 11:59 AM JST - 17th May

Since when does any foreign govt dicate to another what they can or can not do with their grain crops? If we can "allow" Japan to export it's grain prodcts I think we can "allow" them to scrap their constitution and send troops to Iraq. Furthermore our US Trade Rep ought to be advicating that Japan buys OUR rice FFS. Am I paying this guys salary?
some14some at 06:30 PM JST - 17th May

It is based on scientific reason like they discharge water to protect a dam from overflowing. May be 'release' means 're-sale', Warehouses already made money, may be some exchange loss but that too is not of a concern, they have plenty of foreign reserves to cover up. This view is from an ordinary person not from an economic expert or politician. But i dont think it has anything to do with 'foreign' pressure.
OssanULTRA at 12:44 AM JST - 18th May

The choice of whether to sell, re-sell, burn, or donate any excess crop is entirely domestic. It doesn't involve foreign govts whether they be customners or competitors. Is there some kind of international rice cartel to which bioth Japan and the US are a members which dictates policy and is not mentioned at all in the article?
presto345 at 01:06 AM JST - 18th May

The trade agreement that obligates Japan to import rice is I suspect one to balance exports from this country. Distributing this rice again on the world market is disruptive and defeats the purpose of the agreement. Forcing Japan to consume these imports domestically has a severe impact on local rice production, upsetting local markets.
Seiryu at 07:12 AM JST - 18th May

Since when does any foreign govt dicate to another what they can or can not do with their grain crops?

As by preto above, it sounds to me like it's only an obligation for Japan to import a certain amount of rice into the country. The agreement is a more explicit santioning of a "loophole" where the imported rice is used for re-export, foreign aid, etc.
okapake at 12:54 PM JST - 18th May

I gave some California rice to a Okinawa friend of mine to try. He said it tasted fine. But the cost was what really floored him. Said the Japanese rice his wife buys costs 1800~2000 yen per 5 kg bag. The 20 pound bag of California rice cost $12.50.