Introduction
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 a change in climate, and government interference through policies such as acreage reduction policy, trade agreements; therefore, resulting in reduced rice production. Additionally, the paper explores the possible solution to the predicaments associated with the rice issue.
Climate change effects
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 led to 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 shift in rice quality has resulted in reduced trades as Japanese rice is known for its quality.
Government policy
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 receive reimbursement 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 led to the emergence of unused lands.
Additionally, part of the problem to a reduction in rice production and rising of the rise prices are associated with the acreage reduction policy. In the 1950s, the Japans staple food control systems under the ruling party advocated for a motion to increase the price of rice. The move leads to a high reduction of the rice consumption in Japan. Originally, the directive was meant as an incentive to benefit farmers by selling their produce at high prices but experienced a fall out due to lack of proper implementation mechanisms (Hayami 371-404). Therefore, the administration opted to cut off the surplus production by rice acreage reduction. The program was kicked off in 1970 and went long after the abolition of the staple food control system. In the year 1995. Today, around 2.55 million acres for rice farming fields have been subjected to acreage reduction (Hayami 371-404).
Possible prospectus to the rice problem in Japan
Climatic change
Climate change has become a menace nor only to Japan but also the entire globe. Reducing industrial leaks and wastes is one way to address the problem. Additionally, cleaner forms of energy such as electricity can be employed rather than using coal and burning of other fossils. Practices by Farmers may include tree planting, practicing precision agriculture such as planting of cover crops that help to reduce erosion of soil. Additionally, animal wastes may be cut down by ingesting the waste into bio-digesters to obtain fuel. The journal on impacts of climatic change in Japan states that the actual rice production in the country is likely to fall by about 12 to 13 % by the time the century is at the middle (Hijioka 58-71.). Therefore, trees need to be planted in plenty among other measures. The move will greatly benefit farmers in general.
Farmer-centered government policies
Japan as a country should implement agricultural policies that have the interest of the farmers as the priority. The current policies favor cooperatives and high ranking business class people. The 1971 gentian policy on rice directed farmers on the amount of rice they can grow and what acreage of land, furthermore, the system controlled even the prices and went on to even pay some farmers not to plant rice in a bid to control production and price. In an article by the economist journal in 2013, the then prime minister to Japan, my Shinzo Abe, stated that the ministry of agriculture was planning to scrap off the gentan policy. The move will ensure that farmers have complete autonomy on the land and produce and that the entire process will be under their management and no longer the state. Consequently, there will be a free market of rice, and every farmer will be able to stand out in the market (The Economist).
Also, the imported rice from other nations such as the US is cheaper and more preferable by the consumers hence affecting the locally grown rice. The duties and tariffs on the imports should be raised to give leverage to the locally produced rice hence addressing the plight of farmers in the same. On the statement made during an interview with the economist; Mr. Abe stated the government was establishing a policy of imposing a 777.7 % duty on imported polished rice. (The Economist).
Conclusion
The rice situation in Japan has its solution by development and implementation of stringent agricultural policies that are farmer-centered. Farmers also will have a big role to play regarding the decisions on how to grow and sell their products. However, the autonomy and the free market that can arise from the implementation of the reforms may further need the intervention and careful coordination of the state and the farmers.
Works Cited
Hayami, Yujiro, and Yoshihisa Godo. "Economics and politics of rice policy in Japan: A perspective on the Uruguay round." Regionalism versus Multilateral Trade Arrangements, NBER-EASE Volume 6. University of Chicago Press, 1997. 371-404.
Hijioka, Yasuaki. "Climate change impacts in Japan." Climate Change and Global Sustainability (2013): 58-71.
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>.
