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2021 August 25 - 31 TOP3 [POLITICS]

Japan’s food self-sufficiency rate drops to record-low 37.17%

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries on August 25 released the latest statistics showing that in FY2020, Japan’s calorie-based food self-sufficiency rate dropped to 37.17% for the first time since records began in 1965.

Japan ranks the lowest among developed countries in terms of the calorie-based food self-sufficiency rate in domestic production. This is mainly because successive Liberal Democratic Party governments have been reluctant to boost domestic food production while liberalizing agricultural imports in subservience to U.S. and Japanese business interests.

The LDP-led government agricultural policy has promoted the liberalization of imports and forced Japanese farmers to enhance international competitiveness with the introduction of large-scale farming. In addition, it decreased support for family farmers by labelling them as unproductive.

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has put a spotlight on the risk of heavily relying on food imports. The urgent need now is for Japan to withdraw from its policy of excessively depending on foreign food and instead revitalize the nation’s agriculture and fisheries industries.

Past related articles:
> JCP: Japan should withdraw from RCEP free-trade framework [April 10, 2021]
> Farmers in autumn 'Green Wave' action call for protection of family farmers [December 5, 2020]