Japan Hosts Annual Rice Technical Meeting

TOKYO, JAPAN -- A delegation of U.S. rice exporters met with representatives of Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (MAFF) and Japan grain trading companies on Wednesday for the 22nd annual U.S.-Japan rice technical meeting.  

"This meeting is a key part of maintaining smooth rice trade between the U.S. and Japan by having a forum to work through technical issues in a business-like manner," said Alex Balafoutis, chair of the U.S. delegation and executive vice president of Western Foods.

In addition to the technical meeting, the delegation also received an extensive briefing from USA Rice's in-country contractor on activities to promote U.S. rice in Japan and an update on domestic Japanese policy on rice.  The delegation also met with the Agricultural Affairs Office (AAO) of the U.S. embassy to discuss promotion and market access issues.

MAFF is Japan's state importer of rice, and Chairman Balafoutis concluded this year's technical meeting by inviting MAFF and the trading companies to the 23rd such meeting in the United States in 2020.