Sustainable Rice Culture in Asia

Japan has engaged in rice farming since 300 BCE. The rice farmers are highly respected as an integral part of the Japanese cultural tradition. Soon after the end of the second world war, farming cooperatives were established to ensure the livelihood of the rice farming community. This has been achieved through high tariff walls among other forms of protectionism. With the Trans Pacific Partnership under negotiation, the farming sector must reduce their tariffs. Herein, suggestions are made as to how the rice farming industry can be sustainable if and when the tariff walls are reduced.