Yeutter Criticizes Japanese Minister: Secretary Clayton K....

Yeutter Criticizes Japanese Minister: Secretary Clayton K. Yeutter blasted his Japanese counterpart Tomio Yamamoto for reportedly saying the United States had interfered in Japan’s internal affairs by suggesting it liberalize its protected rice market. “I am very troubled by these comments, “ he said in a letter to the Japanese agriculture minister that was made public. Yeutter also sought a meeting with the Japanese official to discuss the issue further and suggested that it be held during a ministerial meeting of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development in Paris next week. He said Yamamoto was quoted last week in a newspaper as having said Japan would not tolerate further meddling by U.S. officials in its rice policy. Japan virtually bans imports of rice to protect its farmers from lower-priced imports.