East Asia comprises of four countries located on the Eastern end of the Asian Continent. The four countries making up the region are China, Mongolia, Japan and North and South Korea. The geography of East Asia comprises of mountains, plateaus, deserts and Islands. Other than the physical features, East Asia is characterized by high population densities with China and Japan being some of the most populated countries in the World. These high population densities coupled with the size of arable land has resulted in most East Asian countries having rice as the main cereal crop. The climate and the high rates of produce have made rice the staple food of many of these nations including Japan, which is mainly a collection of Islands on the East Pacific. The Japanese population has been growing rice for several centuries, but in recent years, farmers have experienced several challenges including change in climate and government interference; therefore, resulting in reduced rice production.
Climate change has affected the quantity and quality of rice grown in the Japan. According to Washio, changes in precipitation and temperature levels due to global warming has resulted in the reduced quality of the rice produced in Japan. Over the past century, the Japanese mean temperature has risen by 1.15°C (Washio Par 4). Other than temperature changes, the country has experienced changes in rainfall patterns; therefore creating a sort of unpredictability. Japan has also experienced an increase in extreme weather conditions including droughts, storms and typhoon. The changes in climate are likely to result in increased difficulty in the planning of agricultural activities including rice cultivation. The high instances of drought have also resulted in reduced yields. Washio, however, explained that the droughts did not result in significant decrease in yields (Par 8). The changes in weather patterns and events have however had a significant effect on the quality of Japanese rice. This change in rice quality has resulted in reduced trades as Japanese rice is known for its quality.
Recent years have seen increased government intervention in rice farming. Japan rice growing capabilities have diminished due to several issues including international trade agreements (Simone Par 1). Agreements such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership have resulted in increased imports of locally produced products including rice. The change in government attitude towards rice farmers began in the 1990’s after Japan lifted the ban on foreign rice imports. Simone also reported that rice popularity reduced significantly after the Second World War (Par 7). The trade agreements also resulted in the Japanese government having to pay its farmers to reduce rice production. The move to pay farmers was meant to protect farmers from losses accrued due to surplus rice on the market (The Economist).The payoffs resulted in reduced rice production which has in recent years translated to issues of food security. Most of the farmers in Japan own land but may not cultivate it as they are paid for not cultivating. (The Economist). The low rice production witnessed due to the government handouts, and international trade agreements have resulted in an increase in rice prices; therefore reduced the popularity of rice. The payoffs have also resulted in the emergence of unused lands as farmers are paid for not cultivating.
Changes on climate and issues of government interference have resulted in reduced rice production in Japan; therefore, illustrating reduced agricultural activity. There is a need to address the issues of climate change as well as the development of policies to ensure that Japan's long culture of rice production is restored to past economic profitability.
Work Cited
Simone, Gianni. The future of rice farming in Japan. 29 January 2016. Web. <http://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2016/01/29/food/the-future-of-rice-farming-in-japan/#.VtUwQBVHmK_>.
The Economist. Rice farming in Japan. 30 November 2013. Web. <http://www.economist.com/news/finance-and-economics/21590947-government-abolishes-previously-sacrosanct-agricultural-subsidies-political>.
Washio, Kenji. "The Prediction of Climate Change and Rice Production in Japan." Journal of Rice Research (2013). Web. <http://www.esciencecentral.org/journals/the-prediction-of-climate-change-and-rice-production-in-japan-jrr.1000e103.php?aid=23457>.
