(Mainichi Japan)

TSURUOKA, Yamagata — Local farmers criticized the Japanese government’s policy to boost rice production amid high prices for the grain during a meeting here on July 7, calling it irresponsible and dismissive of farmers.

At a general assembly of the municipal agricultural promotion council held in the Yamagata Prefecture city of Tsuruoka — one of Japan’s largest rice producers — representatives of farmers and other attendees denounced the government’s greater rice production policy, with one saying, “It leaves producers behind,” and another stating, “The policy is baseless and irresponsible.”

About 50 people, including those associated with local agricultural cooperatives and land improvement districts in addition to farmers, attended the meeting. A representative of the farm ministry’s Tohoku Regional Agricultural Administration Office, who was present as an observer, presented that as of the end of this April, farmers nationwide intended to boost the planting of rice for staple use by 400,000 metric tons compared to 2024 to 7.19 million tons.

Attendees then demanded prompt and detailed explanations as to whether the policy to increase rice production will continue through fiscal 2026. One participant questioned the policy, saying, “It’s such a huge issue for rice-producing regions.”

The Tohoku office representative responded, “We are moving ahead toward increasing output.” He added, “I assume there are various challenges that must be overcome, such as the issue of seed rice (which takes time to produce and is difficult to suddenly boost output).” The official sought understanding from attendees, saying, “We will communicate the voices of those on-site to the government and move on while carefully gathering information.”

A full-time farmer told the Mainichi Shimbun after the meeting, “All they are talking about is ‘increasing production.’ What if the additional release of government stockpiled rice causes private-sector inventories to exceed the levels considered appropriate, significantly pushing down rice prices? I want the government to set out greater output and other directions only after sorting out income compensation for farmers.”

At a Cabinet meeting in April, the government adopted the Basic Plan for Food, Agriculture and Rural Areas for the next five years, setting forth a direction to raise rice production from 7.91 million tons in 2023 to 8.18 million tons in 2030.

(Japanese original by Rika Chonan, Tsuruoka Local Bureau)

Published Date: July 8, 2025