Japan could help world hunger
By estherlou
@estherlou (5015)
United States
May 19, 2008 4:37pm CST
I just read a really interesting editorial. Apparently, to protect their tradition of growing rice, and for other reasons, Japan has blocked the import of rice with high tariffs. In the 1990's they agreed to start importing a small amount as a concession to the US and other producers. But, they don't eat it! They stockpile it! "The stockpile, which is separate from Japan's homegrown emergency reserves, peaked at 1.9 million metric tons in 2006. At that point, Japan's Board of Audit complained about the storage costs, so the government began releasing 25,000 metric tons per month -- to feed livestock. More recently, it has considered using the rice for ethanol, according to a report by the U.S. Agriculture Department's office in Tokyo." That is amazing! With a stockpile of 1.5 million metric tons of rice at hand, Japan could sell to the world market and help out everyone!
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/18/AR2008051801897.html?wpisrc=newsletter&wpisrc=newsletter&wpisrc=newsletter
2 people like this
6 responses
@chaigay20 (166)
• Philippines
22 May 08
they should have exported rice in my country. we're suffering from rice shortage. and the cost of rice (even corn) went up so fast the people had to suffer. they're very lucky.
@jillmalitz (5131)
• United States
20 May 08
To feed livestock?! I can understand the idea of experimenting to mail fuel but I also agree with you that since so many of the poorer countries in the world use rice as a staple f ood they would help these countries by sending some rice to them.
@flowerchilde (12529)
• United States
20 May 08
..yes, too bad human nature wasn't less self interested.. A lot could be done to alleviate lots of sufferings in the world.. (and it doesn't include tearing down western civilization in order to do it! Which seems to be the only prevailing theory these days..
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@faith210 (11224)
• Philippines
20 May 08
Hi estherlou! Wow, such a lot rice stocks! I just hope that they will have the heart to just donate them to all those third world countries that are experiencing hunger. They are one of the richest countries and to just donate their rice stock will not even diminished the wealth that their country have. If they will donate the rice stock, I am sure the whole world will admire them for that.
Take Care and God Bless! Happy Mylotting!
@hellcowboy (7374)
• United States
19 May 08
I think if it true that Japan has that big of a stockpile of rice,that they should sell more of it to other countries,because even though not everyone eats rice,it could still help some of the countries with food shortages,and it would also help Japan make money to benefit their economy.
