Japan : New farm minister hints at rethink of rice output increase
Japan’s new agriculture minister, Norikazu Suzuki, signaled a shift from the previous administration’s rice production policies, emphasizing demand-based output. He noted farmer concerns over potential oversupply and falling prices, suggesting limited short-term increases while aiming for medium- to long-term growth through expanded rice exports under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s government.
New agriculture minister Norikazu Suzuki on Thursday indicated a potential shift in the policy of increasing rice production advocated by the administration of former Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.
Suzuki said in an interview with media organizations that farmers are “very perplexed” about the current policy and are “worried that there will be too much rice next year and that rice prices will collapse.”
His remarks suggest that the administration of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who took office Tuesday, may review the current measures implemented to curb rice prices following a supply shortage and price spike last summer.
Suzuki emphasized the need to avoid a situation in which supply exceeds demand, calling for “demand-based production.”
“It’s difficult to suddenly boost demand next year, so production is unlikely to rise significantly either,” he said.
Still, he expressed the view that output is expected to increase “in the medium to long term” through expanded exports.
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Source : Japan Times
