LDP Council Chair expresses doubts about raising imports of US rice, says Japanese agriculture at risk

This photo taken on February 18, 2025 shows a man walking past sacks of government stockpiled rice piled up in a warehouse in Saitama prefecture, north of Tokyo. - AFP

TOKYO: A plan being mulled over by the government to offer expanded imports of US rice in tariff negotiations was undercut by Liberal Democratic Party General Council Chairperson Shunichi Suzuki on Tuesday (April 22). “I hope that the debate will move forward based on the premise of protecting Japanese agriculture and ensuring benefits for both [Japan and the United States],” he said.

“The public is deeply worried about food security,” added Suzuki at the press conference where he was speaking. He expressed concern that the plan could lead to a weakening of domestic production.