Book Review Part 6

Consumers' View toward Rice and its Agriculture

The price of Japanese rice is several times as American one. Obviously, Japanese government subsidize rice farming and the subsidy obstructs the demand and supply of the market economy. However, expensive and brand rices like Koshihikari and Sasanishik are not controlled by the government and the consumers buy them independently. The consumption of rice is apt to be influenced by  the number of family members, ages, their lifestyles and so forth.

World War 2, the consumption of rice per person is 150 kilo in a year, but it became 72 kilo in 1987. Japanese families of three or four spend 1200 yen for rice in a month and the sum of rice is far less than other money for food. Especially, middle or high classes family tend to do. According to the survey in 1989, the expenditure of rice was about 2 percent in total, while it was 27 percent in Taisho Period. 

Also, the amount of eating rice in Japan has been decreasing. So, the cost of rice is not expensive. Therefore, they can buy expensive one like Koshihikari.