Farm Minister of Japan Paying a Visit to Rice Fields in South Korea
Record High South Korean Rice Exports to Japan Cause Concern for Domestic Farmers
Japanese Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi visited a rice field in Paju, South Korea, on August 10, as part of a broader effort to strengthen agricultural cooperation between the two nations. The visit was a significant one, marking Koizumi's first overseas trip since taking office, and it came amidst a surge in South Korean rice exports to Japan.
According to reports by the Jiji Press, Ltd., South Korean rice exports to Japan have reached a record high, with 416 tons exported in the first half of 2025. This figure is 26 times the previous full-year record set in 2012.
The rise in South Korean rice exports to Japan has caused concern for Japanese farmers due to the potential impact on the domestic rice market. The increase in imports, coupled with a domestic rice shortage and soaring rice prices that have doubled compared to the previous year, has led to record-high prices and stock depletion.
Japan traditionally imports rice under a WTO minimum access quota, but private rice imports have sharply increased since early 2025 despite high tariffs. The majority of recent private imports are from the United States, though South Korea began exporting rice to Japan again in April 2025 for the first time since 1999.
The impact on Japanese farmers has been significant. Domestic farmers face rising production costs, prompting some to reduce rice cultivation in favor of less costly alternatives such as fig farming. This shift reflects challenges for Japanese agriculture in competing against imported rice and managing infrastructure costs.
In response, the Japanese government has released emergency rice reserves to stabilize supply and prices but continues to grapple with diminishing stockpiles and the economic pressures on domestic producers caused by both the shortage and increased imports.
Koizumi received explanations from a rice farmer about market price trends and took note of the rapid increase in rice imports from overseas, including South Korea. He stated that the doubling of rice prices in Japan over the past year has caused anxiety among Japanese farmers.
Koizumi's strategy to stabilize the Japanese rice market includes the release of government-stockpiled rice and a policy shift towards increasing rice production in Japan. He also plans to work towards strengthening agricultural cooperation with South Korea and other countries to address the current challenges in the Japanese rice industry.
During his visit to the rice field in Paju, Koizumi inspected the local rice farming situation and noted the price of South Korean rice, even with tariffs, is now comparable to the price of Japanese rice. The farmer also explained measures to combat high temperatures and pests, which are common challenges in rice farming.
In summary, South Korea’s rice exports to Japan have hit a record high in early 2025 amidst Japan’s domestic shortages. Japan’s soaring rice prices and shortage have led to increased private imports, mostly from the US but also including Korean rice after decades, despite high tariffs. Japanese rice farmers face rising costs and reduced competitiveness, leading some to shift away from rice farming. The government has released emergency reserves but continues to manage the tension between imports and supporting domestic agriculture. This trend reflects complex market dynamics involving supply shortages, trade liberalization impacts, and structural challenges in Japan’s rice farming sector.
- The surge in South Korean rice exports to Japan and the subsequent rise in prices have sparked a photography series by an acclaimed Japanese photographer, aiming to capture the cultural and economic challenges faced by Japanese rice farmers amidst this general-news event.
- In the corridors of power, the dramatic increase in South Korean rice exports to Japan has become a hot topic in domestic politics, with lawmakers debating whether to revise existing policies towards rice imports and domestic production to better protect the nation's farmers.
