Food security risk analysis from peacetime… Promotion of diversification of import sources
The Yomiuri Shimbun reported on the 2nd that the Japanese government has decided to expand the production of crops that are highly dependent on imports, such as wheat, by identifying domestic and international food supply and distribution conditions from peacetime to strengthen food security. The plan is to thoroughly prepare for a food crisis by establishing a food security system whose importance has been re-recognized following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The name of the measures formulated by the Japanese government to strengthen food security is ‘New Development Directions for Food, Agriculture, and Rural Policies’. The decision will be made by the Government Food Security Supply and Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Infrastructure Strengthening Headquarters, headed by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and reflected in the amendment to the Basic Law on Food, Agriculture and Rural Areas, which is scheduled to be submitted at the regular Diet session next year.
According to Yomiuri, Japan’s food self-sufficiency rate is 38%, the lowest among the seven advanced countries (G7). In the world, movements to secure food are intensifying along with the destabilization of food production and population growth due to climate change. Recently, as Ukraine, a grain exporting powerhouse, was invaded by Russia, food crises occurred in developing countries.
The Japanese government stated in its countermeasures, “It is clear that the situation where food can be imported at any time cheaply will not continue,” and that “food security will be fundamentally strengthened.”
As for specific measures, it is easier to take countermeasures by analyzing and evaluating risks in food security from peacetime. The subject of analysis is world food supply and demand, Japanese food, production material imports, domestic food supply capacity, and supply chain.
In accordance with domestic demand, the transition from rice for staple food to wheat, soybean, and feed production, which are highly dependent on imports, will be promoted and diversification of import sources will be promoted.
It also stipulates that “a decision-making system for the entire government will be established” during a food crisis.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.