Latest news with #rice
CNA
2 days ago
- Business
- CNA
Japan vows more US rice imports within tariff-free quota
TOKYO :Japan will import more rice from the United States but within the existing tariff-free quota, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said on Wednesday, stressing Tokyo's success in protecting the agricultural sector in agreeing a bilateral trade deal. After months of negotiations, the two countries struck a deal to lower the so-called "reciprocal tariffs" to 15 per cent from a proposed 25 per cent, and said increased rice shipments from the U.S. to Japan was part of that deal. Under a World Trade Organization (WTO) "minimum access" framework introduced in 1995, Japan imports about 770,000 metric tons of rice tariff-free every year. Last fiscal year, the U.S. accounted for 45 per cent of the total. "We made absolutely no sacrifice in the agricultural sector," Ishiba told reporters. "Import volumes will remain within the minimum access framework and we retain the discretion over how much and what type (of rice) to import from each country," he said. Announcing the trade deal on Tuesday in Washington, President Donald Trump said Japan would increase market access to American producers of cars, trucks, rice and certain agricultural products, among other items. Neither country disclosed what other farm products were included, but Ishiba said the deal did not include a lowering of tariffs. Beyond the minimum access framework, Japan imposes a levy of 341 yen ($2.36) per kg of rice, which has, for the most part, effectively priced imports out of the market. While these imports have typically been negligible due to Japan's self-sufficiency for its staple grain, the country has imported historically high amounts over the past year due to a shortage and ensuing spike in the price of home-grown rice.
Reuters
2 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
Japan vows more US rice imports within tariff-free quota
TOKYO, July 23 (Reuters) - Japan will import more rice from the United States but within the existing tariff-free quota, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said on Wednesday, stressing Tokyo's success in protecting the agricultural sector in agreeing a bilateral trade deal. After months of negotiations, the two countries struck a deal to lower the so-called "reciprocal tariffs" to 15% from a proposed 25%, and said increased rice shipments from the U.S. to Japan was part of that deal. Under a World Trade Organization (WTO) "minimum access" framework introduced in 1995, Japan imports about 770,000 metric tons of rice tariff-free every year. Last fiscal year, the U.S. accounted for 45% of the total. "We made absolutely no sacrifice in the agricultural sector," Ishiba told reporters. "Import volumes will remain within the minimum access framework and we retain the discretion over how much and what type (of rice) to import from each country," he said. Announcing the trade deal on Tuesday in Washington, President Donald Trump said Japan would increase market access to American producers of cars, trucks, rice and certain agricultural products, among other items. Neither country disclosed what other farm products were included, but Ishiba said the deal did not include a lowering of tariffs. Beyond the minimum access framework, Japan imposes a levy of 341 yen ($2.36) per kg of rice, which has, for the most part, effectively priced imports out of the market. While these imports have typically been negligible due to Japan's self-sufficiency for its staple grain, the country has imported historically high amounts over the past year due to a shortage and ensuing spike in the price of home-grown rice.
Health Line
3 days ago
- Health
- Health Line
Arsenic in Rice: Should You Be Concerned?
Arsenic contamination is a serious concern for the millions of people who rely on rice as their staple food. Young children are also at risk if rice-based products make up a large part of their diet. Arsenic is one of the world's most toxic elements. Throughout history, it has been infiltrating the food chain and finding its way into our foods. However, this problem is now getting worse, as widespread pollution is raising the levels of arsenic in foods, posing a serious health risk. Recently, studies have detected high levels of arsenic in rice. This is a major concern, since rice is a staple food for a large part of the world's population. Should you be worried? Let's have a look. What is arsenic? Arsenic is a toxic trace element, denoted by the symbol As. It is not usually found on its own. Rather, it is bound with other elements in chemical compounds. These compounds can be divided into two broad categories: Organic arsenic: mainly found in plant and animal tissues. Inorganic arsenic: found in rocks and soil or dissolved in water. This is the more toxic form. Both forms are naturally present in the environment, but their levels have been increasing due to pollution. For a number of reasons, rice may accumulate a significant amount of inorganic arsenic (the more toxic form) from the environment. Dietary sources of arsenic Arsenic is found in nearly all foods and drinks, but is usually only found in small amounts. In contrast, relatively high levels are found in: Contaminated drinking water: Millions of people around the world are exposed to drinking water that contains high amounts of inorganic arsenic. This is most common in South America and Asia. Seafood: Fish, shrimp, shellfish and other seafood may contain significant amounts of organic arsenic, the less toxic form. However, mussels and certain types of seaweed may contain inorganic arsenic as well. Rice and rice-based foods: Rice accumulates more arsenic than other food crops, particularly inorganic arsenic, which is the more toxic form. High levels of inorganic arsenic have been detected in many rice-based products, such as: Rice milk. Rice bran. Rice-based breakfast cereals. Rice cereal (baby rice). Rice crackers. Brown rice syrup. Cereal bars containing rice and/or brown rice syrup. Why is arsenic found in rice? Arsenic naturally occurs in water, soil, and rocks, but its levels may be higher in some areas than others. It readily enters the food chain and may accumulate in significant amounts in both animals and plants, some of which are eaten by humans. As a result of human activities, arsenic pollution has been rising. The main sources of arsenic pollution include certain pesticides and herbicides, wood preservatives, phosphate fertilizers, industrial waste, mining activities, coal burning and smelting. Arsenic often drains into groundwater, which is heavily polluted in certain parts of the world. From groundwater, arsenic finds its way into wells and other water supplies that may be used for crop irrigation and cooking. Paddy rice is particularly susceptible to arsenic contamination, for three reasons: It is grown in flooded fields (paddy fields) that require high quantities of irrigation water. In many areas, this irrigation water is contaminated with arsenic. Arsenic may accumulate in the soil of paddy fields, worsening the problem. Rice absorbs more arsenic from water and soil compared to other common food crops. Using contaminated water for cooking is another concern, because rice grains easily absorb arsenic from cooking water when they are boiled. Health effects of arsenic High doses of arsenic are acutely toxic, causing various adverse symptoms and even death. Dietary arsenic is generally present in low amounts and does not cause any immediate symptoms of poisoning. However, long-term ingestion of inorganic arsenic may cause high blood pressure (hypertension) and atherosclerosis and increase the risk of chronic diseases. These include: Various types of cancer. Narrowing or blockage of blood vessels (vascular disease). Heart disease. Type 2 diabetes. In addition, arsenic is toxic to nerve cells and may affect brain function. In children and teenagers, arsenic exposure has been associated with: Impaired concentration, learning, and memory. Reduced intelligence and social competence. Some of these impairments may have taken place before birth. Several studies indicate that high arsenic intake during pregnancy has adverse effects on the fetus, increasing the risk of birth defects and hindering development. Is arsenic in rice a concern? Yes. There is no doubt about it, arsenic in rice is a problem. This may pose a health risk to those who eat rice every day in considerable amounts. This mainly applies to people with rice-based diets. Other groups who may eat a lot of rice products include young children and those on a milk-free or gluten-free diet. Rice-based infant formulas, rice crackers, pudding and rice milk sometimes make up a large portion of these diets. Young children are especially vulnerable because of their small body size. Therefore, feeding them rice cereals every day may not be such a good idea. Of additional concern is brown rice syrup, a rice-derived sweetener that may be high in arsenic. It is often used in baby formulas. Of course, not all rice contains high arsenic levels, but determining the arsenic content of a particular rice product may be difficult (or impossible) without actually measuring it in a lab. How to reduce arsenic in rice The arsenic content of rice can be reduced by washing and cooking the rice with clean water that is low in arsenic. This is effective for both white and brown rice. In a 2021 study, parboiling, or boiling rice for 5 minutes, was shown to remove 53% of the arsenic in brown rice and 73% in white rice. However, if the cooking water is high in arsenic, it may have the opposite effect and raise the arsenic content significantly. The following tips should help reduce the arsenic content of your rice: Use plenty of water when cooking. Wash the rice before cooking. This method may remove 10% to 40% of the arsenic, though this only works with white rice. Brown rice contains higher amounts of arsenic than white rice. If you eat large amounts of rice, the white variety may be a better choice. Choose aromatic rice, such as basmati or jasmine. The last and most important piece of advice concerns your diet as a whole. Make sure to diversify your diet by eating many different foods. Your diet should never be dominated by one type of food. Not only does this ensure that you are getting all the nutrients you need, it also prevents you from getting too much of one thing.
CNA
4 days ago
- Business
- CNA
Japan faces rice shortage as South Korea battles oversupply
HAENAM, South Korea / TOKYO: Japan is grappling with rice shortages and price hikes, forcing it to ramp up imports. Just across the sea, South Korea is facing the opposite problem — an overwhelming surplus that has driven prices so low, some regions are practically giving rice away. As shortages and surpluses hit wallets and livelihoods, the instability of rice supply could have an impact far beyond the dining table, said observers. TACKLING OVERSUPPLY Farmer Park Geun Sik spent his life working the land in Haenam, a farming town in South Jeolla province, about 330km south of Seoul. When he started, everything from planting seedlings to threshing rice was done by hand. Rice was so scarce that there were designated no-rice days banning its sale. Then, machines arrived and high-yield rice varieties were introduced as South Korea embarked on a drive for self-sufficiency. Like most farmers in South Korea, Park is a member of the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation Nonghyup. Nonghyup buys rice directly from farmers, then handles everything from drying and storing it to packaging and distribution. 'There is never a year when we can't sell the harvested rice,' Park told CNA. 'Most co-op members find it more convenient that way.' Every year, the South Korean government imports and also purchases rice from farmers to ensure food security. It also buys 'quarantine rice', which is the supply it wants to take off the market in order to stabilise prices. The government purchased 1.2 million tonnes of rice from 2021 to 2024, according to official data. This amounts to about US$1.9 billion worth of rice sitting in government storage. Haenam County Office said the government stores about 17 to 18 per cent of annual rice consumption in case of disaster or war. That is around 700,000 to 800,000 tonnes. Kim Ung Il, an officer with the office's distribution support division, said older reserves are usually sold to manufacturers of processed food, and recent harvests to low-income families, for as little as US$2 for a 10kg pack. For rice released for retail, the price fluctuates based on factors such as harvest yields. Korean farmers frustrated by thinning margins have taken to the streets to demand change. Gu Gwang Seok, executive director of the non-profit Korean Peasants League (Gwangju), said rice prices have barely risen in the 30 years he has been farming, blaming imports for pushing down prices. 'Every year, we import about 13 per cent of our domestic rice production. In terms of volume, that's around 408,000 tonnes (required under World Trade Organization agreements),' he added. 'That is why farmers are protesting. They are demanding that the government guarantee the price of rice and stop importing it.' Meanwhile, the door to exporting rice has never really opened. Most countries do not favour the short-grain, sticky Japonica rice South Korea produces except Japan. DEALING WITH SHORTAGE In April, Japan bought Korean rice for the first time since 1999 when it was facing a rice shortage. Rural Japanese families traditionally get their rice at negotiated prices from a local dealer or directly from farmers. At supermarkets across Japan, rice is selling at record prices or simply out of stock. Rice prices doubled from a year ago in May this year. In July, it's about US$27 on average for a 5kg pack, prompting the government to release emergency reserves. But the sales are massively depleting stockpiles, with only about 100,000 tonnes of rice left. Japan imports 770,000 tonnes of rice a year under WTO rules. Anything more brought in by the private sector incurs hefty tariffs of about US$2.30 per kilogram. But as domestic rice prices soar, private sector imports are rising. In May, they amounted to some 10,600 tonnes - mostly from the United States - up from just 115 tonnes a year ago. Kazuyoshi Fujimoto owns a 15-hectare rice farm in Kakogawa city - passed down for generations - but began shifting away from growing rice two years ago due to high costs. 'To tend to paddy fields, you need to invest in machinery,' he said. 'If it malfunctions, it costs 5 million to 6 million yen (US$33,700 to US$40,400) to replace it. So eventually, I plan to move entirely from paddy fields to growing figs.' Japan began paying farmers to reduce rice acreage in the 1970s to tackle overproduction and keep rice prices high. Now, production targets are still set by the government and influenced by Japan Agricultural Cooperatives (JA) which nearly all farmers belong to. Around 70 per cent of crops harvested are sold through JA, according to experts, and the rest to wholesalers, retailers or straight to consumers. It sent Fujimoto a flyer offering to buy his rice for at least 11,500 yen (US$77.50) for every 30kg this year, which is about twice as much as last year. 'Until three years ago, prices (paid by JA) were stable,' said Fujimoto. 'But in the past year or two, prices rose a little, by 30 per cent. Then this year, it was a big hike." Rice production has tumbled over the years, from a peak of 14.45 million tonnes in 1967 to less than 7 million tonnes last year. Farmers told CNA they were puzzled by the sudden severe shortage, with some pointing to the complexity of the supply chain. In Nagano, known for its mountainous terrain and high-quality rice, some farmers said middlemen are paying three times more for their rice compared to last year. Poor harvests caused by heatwaves and a spike in inbound tourism are being cited as factors for the shortage. Japan's farming population, too, is steadily shrinking. Analysts said it is critical to stop reducing rice acreage and consolidate small-scale farms by encouraging their owners - who are mostly elderly - to lease their land to larger operations. 'Full-time farmers will be richer by accumulating more land. They could improve the efficiency of rice production,' said Kazuhito Yamashita, research director at the think tank Canon Institute for Global Studies. 'But it is not easy to implement in Japanese politics because we have to face politically powerful agricultural cooperatives.' LOOKING FOR ALTERNATIVES Meanwhile, South Korea's growers are watching closely. In Haenam, conditions are ripe to adapt rice fields for other crops. Farmers like Kim Jun Hyeong get government incentives to switch from rice to beans. 'In the case of rice farming, you usually have to grow the seedlings for about 20 days before transplanting. But when there is no need for that process (such as when growing beans), it becomes more advantageous,' he said. 'For beans, they go for about 4,000 to 4,500 won (US$2.90 to US$3.30) per kilogram,' he added. 'Rice, on the other hand, doesn't even fetch 2,000 won per kilogram." Kim now sets aside half his farmland for beans. His income has almost doubled, propelled by the incentives. In cities like Seoul, rice is finding a second life. Rike Bakery, which opened a few months ago, sets itself apart by using rice flour — a pricier alternative to wheat flour — as its key ingredient. The government is also promoting it as a substitute to raise rice consumption. 'I think rice has a better image than wheat,' said Jeon Hee Ju, owner of Rike Bakery. 'So when customers hear it's made from rice, they feel it's healthier and more comforting to eat.'
Japan Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Japan Times
In Japanese politics, rice is the 'third rail'
In the United States, Social Security is often referred to as the "third rail," meaning you touch it at your peril. In Japan, the "third rail" is rice. You disturb the supply of Japanese-grown ultrahigh-quality rice at a reasonable price at your peril. People around the world often do not understand that. For many, rice is rice. The U.S. government certainly does not get it. But in Japan, every region has its rice varieties and brands that are promoted and treasured for their subtle taste and texture differences. The Japanese have no trouble identifying which region produced the rice and its grade with just one bite. Japan should hold far more global rice tasting competitions, similar to wine tasting. The highest-class restaurants and Japanese inns feature the highest quality rice that is grown in their area. It is part of the Japanese travel experience to sample the cuisine in every region and rice is an integral part of it. Rice cultivation in Japan dates back to the Yayoi Period, approximately 2,500 years ago. It is part of the nation's most ancient religious rituals. Every Shinto shrine in Japan today has prominent displays of local residents' offerings, including large bags of locally produced rice and casks of sake made from that rice. Stay updated on Japan's rice crisis. Quality journalism is more crucial than ever. Help us get the story right. For a limited time, we're offering a discounted subscription plan. Unlimited access US$30 US$18 /mo FOREVER subscribe NOW When the Japanese discuss food security, they are primarily referring to rice. There is flexibility when it comes to imports of wheat, corn and beef, but Japanese-grown rice will be protected, whatever the cost. If we need to import more foreign-grown rice to resolve the tariff dispute with the U.S. over cars, we will utilize it in food processing and distribute it as Japanese aid to foreign countries. But the reality is that Japan faces severe challenges in its rice production ecosystem. Far too many farmers are above 65 with no successors. Far too many rice-growing farms are suboptimal in terms of the acreage available to support the cost of investing in highly automated AI-based production technologies. The Japanese government has been locked in a conundrum for decades: Maintain the price of rice grown in Japan at a government-set level that allows farmers to survive economically, but not to prosper. A policy then emerged to pay farmers to reduce the area planted with rice and leave it fallow or to switch to other crops. The system was rigid and lacked the flexibility to adapt to climate change or years with excessive rainfall, drought or extended high temperatures. The policy relied on massive warehouses of stored rice stock. However, using that to maintain stable market prices while keeping farmers financially sound requires political leadership, which Japan currently lacks. Today, Japan faces the consequences of that policy failure, marked by both empty grocery store shelves for rice and skyrocketing prices. With incredibly high rice prices becoming a significant voter issue ahead of the upcoming Upper House election, the Ishiba administration is engaged in a desperate attempt to stave off a third and final election defeat on July 20, which would force the cabinet to resign en masse. Who do they turn to? The Koizumi family. In the early 2000s, the prime minister, to great fanfare from abroad, Junichiro Koizumi, decided to privatize what was then a world-class postal system. The post offices, together with on-site banking and insurance, provided excellent service and also served as a social lifeline to isolated rural communities in Japan. He broke it into multiple pieces and then walked away. The service deterioration started almost immediately. Recently, the postal system has reached a nadir, with a five-year ban being imposed on the use of its national truck fleet to move mail due to safety violations involving alcohol testing of its drivers. Now, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has tasked farm minister Shinjiro Koizumi to find quick solutions to the rice system. While good-intentioned, like his father, he could inadvertently destroy the Japanese rice-growing culture, which has existed for more than 2,500 years. The major issues for rice farmers have been the same ones for quite some time. While the overall population is declining steadily, the average age of Japanese rice farmers now exceeds the normal retirement age and is increasing steadily. For decades, government policy was to intentionally reduce the amount of acreage under rice cultivation, despite the climate's impact on production. Under trade pressures, Japan imports over 750,000 metric tons of rice rather than investing in growing more of its own. The average acreage under cultivation by each farmer is too small to support investment in large-scale automation. Farmers are paid to not produce more rice. The Agricultural Ministry has historically attempted to achieve two contradictory objectives — maintaining a low consumer price of rice while keeping rice farmers barely afloat financially. And a third goal has been added: food security, which complicates the already bad calculus. Instead of paying farmers not to grow rice, we should be paying them to consolidate smaller plots from retiring farmers into larger ones and then provide financial and hands-on advanced technology so they can confidently invest in large-scale automation. We should conduct R&D to create new high-quality Japanese rice varieties that can thrive in the higher temperatures now experienced throughout Japan, especially in the highest-quality rice-growing regions. Food security means that the warehouses of rice inventory need to be strictly maintained to ensure it is not spoiled and tapped into when required, but immediately replenished. Keep the amateurs out to make a name for themselves away from rice. Japan's third rail will take them if they inadvertently damage our food security. Edo Naito is a commentator on Japanese politics, law and history. He is a retired international business attorney and has held board of director and executive positions at several U.S. and Japanese multinational companies.
