TOKYO (Kyodo) — A senior official of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party has ruled out including talks on an expansion of U.S. rice imports in tariff negotiations between Tokyo and Washington, a source close to the matter said Wednesday.

“Since I have not heard anything about that (from the government on rice imports), my understanding is there is no such plan,” LDP Secretary General Hiroshi Moriyama was quoted as saying at a gathering of members of the farming industry the day before.

His remarks came as some inside the Japanese government are considering offering to increase U.S. rice imports as part of efforts to win concessions over hefty tariffs announced or already imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump, who has been critical of trade deficits.

While increased purchases of U.S. corn and soybeans are also seen as possible negotiating tools, some LDP members have voiced opposition to treating rice — a staple food in Japan — the same way as other products as it could affect the nation’s food self-sufficiency ratio.

Japan has traditionally protected its domestic rice industry in trade negotiations. But calls have recently grown for more affordable imported rice as prices surge due in part to a supply shortage despite government stockpile releases intended to ease market strain.

According to a report by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, Japan’s “highly regulated and nontransparent system of importation and distribution for rice limits the ability of U.S. exporters to have meaningful access to Japan’s consumers.”

Published Date: May 15, 2025