The Japanese government has announced plans to increase rice exports nearly eightfold, targeting 350,000 tons worth 92.2 billion yen (approximately USD 623 million) by 2030.
Japan Aims to Boost Productivity and Export Growth
According to Kyodo News via the Vietnam News Agency (VNA), the plan was presented at a meeting of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party on March 12. Japan will significantly improve rice production capacity to achieve export goals while ensuring stable domestic supply.
Under the draft medium- and long-term agricultural plan, the Japanese government aims to raise the country’s food self-sufficiency rate from 38% in fiscal year 2022 to 45% by fiscal year 2030.
The plan, reviewed every five years, emphasizes the need to enhance productivity and expand exports amid growing geopolitical risks and a decline in domestic farms—factors that could destabilize Japan’s food production and supply.
Measures to Strengthen the Rice Industry
Japan intends to increase the number of large-scale rice farms (15 hectares or more) and reduce production costsfrom 11,350 yen per 60-kg bag to 9,500 yen per bag to stay competitive with cheaper imported rice.
Additionally, the government will boost total food and agricultural export value from 1.5 trillion yen in 2024 to 5 trillion yen by 2030, while raising foreign visitors’ food spending from 1.6 trillion yen to 4.5 trillion yen over the same period.
Export Growth as a Strategic Priority
Although Japan is currently facing a domestic rice shortage, long-term demand is expected to decline due to population decrease.
As a result, expanding exports has become a key focus of Japan’s agricultural strategy, both to sustain farmers and to strengthen its presence in global food markets.