Key Facts
• October 2025: Norikazu Suzuki appointed as Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries.
• New policy emphasizes “production based on demand” as a core principle.
• Government aims to achieve 2030 export target of 5 trillion yen in agricultural products.
• Rice export goals: 400,000 tons annually by 2030, 1 million tons by 2040.
• Suzuki highlights market-driven pricing, avoiding government intervention in price setting.
• “Rice coupons” proposed as a short-term measure to address rising costs.
• Japan Innovation Party’s rice policy includes increasing production by 1.5 times and reducing tariffs.
• Suzuki opposes tariff reductions, citing rice as a critical self-sufficient staple.
• Government plans to invest in agricultural restructuring from 2025 to 2029.
• Challenges include immature rice market and lack of accurate demand forecasting.
Summary
Norikazu Suzuki, Japan’s new Minister of Agriculture, has introduced a shift in rice policy, focusing on demand-driven production and market-based pricing. The government aims to boost agricultural exports to 5 trillion yen by 2030, with rice exports targeted at 400,000 tons annually by 2030 and 1 million tons by 2040. Suzuki has proposed “rice coupons” to mitigate rising costs but faces challenges such as an underdeveloped rice market and inaccurate demand forecasting. The Japan Innovation Party’s contrasting policy of increased production and tariff reductions has sparked debate, with Suzuki emphasizing the importance of rice as a self-sufficient staple. The government plans significant investments in agricultural restructuring from 2025 to 2029 to address these issues.
