Private rice imports surge amid shortages in Japan

Private imports of overseas rice have been increasing rapidly in Japan due to shortages in the domestic market. In the fiscal year 2024, rice import applications submitted to the government covered a record-high 991 tons as of the end of January.

Currently, companies are able to profit from such imported rice, even though they have to pay a high tariff. Kanematsu Corp, a major trading company based in Tokyo, has decided to import an unprecedented 10,000 tons of rice in 2025.

There are two types of rice imports. Rice is either imported by the government, which is obliged to purchase a certain amount from foreign countries under the rules of the World Trade Organization, or it is privately imported by trading and other companies, which pay a tariff to the government.