Bush’s Trip to Japan

As a former economist who dealt directly with Japanese executives, I was always irritated at the Japanese belief that Japan has special industries that need protection from American competition. In particular, food products such as rice and meat products fall into this category. Japanese consumers pay far more for these products than they would have to if the doors to free trade were open.

What is the reason the Japanese provide for this protectionism? In the case of rice it is the belief that a strong rice industry is needed for national security. They argue that if the cheaper rice was available, their rice industry would decline and they would be too reliant on foreign suppliers. What is the difference between the Japanese protecting their rice growers and the United States protecting our automobile manufacturers?

Our auto makers are suffering terribly and hundreds of thousands of Americans in the automobile industry are losing their jobs. If the situation were reversed, would the Japanese politicians sit back idly and let their industry fall by the wayside?

BRETT RICHARDSON

North Hollywood