P. M. BRIEFING : Japan Bars U.S. Rice Samples
Japan has told the United States to remove a small display of American rice from a Japanese convention hall because it violates the country’s strict rice import rules.
Japan bans all imports of rice for commercial purposes.
“We are sorry but we had explained to the (U.S. Agricultural Trade) office already last month that any samples would be prohibited, but I hear the office actually did offer some samples, or display for commercial purposes,” an official at Japan’s Food Agency said Thursday.
“The U.S. Agricultural Trade Office is thus complying with the request from Japan’s Food Agency to remove approximately two kilograms (4.4 pounds) of U.S. rice on display,” an American Embassy spokesman said today.
The Japanese government forbids the sale of foreign rice. Only imports for personal use of up to 220 pounds are allowed.
A booth operated by the U.S. Rice Council will continue to provide information about U.S. rice until the convention ends Saturday, the embassy spokesman said.
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