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[Russell]

[SIZE="3"]Supermarket Chain Begins Selling Chinese Rice[/SIZE]

[YT]VkLiEfU2b1k[/YT]

Seiyu GK will start selling Chinese-grown rice on Saturday at 149 stores in Tokyo, Shizuoka and five other prefectures in the Kanto region at 1,299 yen for five kilograms--more than 20 percent less than inexpensive domestic brands, the major supermarket chain has announced.

It will be the first time since 1994 that a major distributor will sell foreign-produced rice. In 1993 and 1994, Japan imported rice as an emergency measure due to a lean harvest. Observers say the move is in anticipation of the trend toward trade liberalization, to see how consumers react to the imported rice.

The rice, which is the same type as the domestic-produced Japonica rice, is grown in Jilin Province, in northeastern China.

"[We decided to sell the rice as] the price of domestic rice surged after the Great East Japan Earthquake, which led to a shortage of inexpensive rice," a Seiyu official said at a press conference Thursday.

Seiyu plans to sell a certain number of Chinese rice brands by autumn, when domestic rice harvested in 2012 goes on sale. The company said it will see how the rice sells before deciding how to proceed.

Other major supermarket chain operators are taking a wait-and-see attitude toward Seiyu's move.

"We don't plan to sell foreign rice," supermarket chain operator Aeon Co. said.

In the food service industry, Matsuya Foods Co., a major gyudon beef bowl chain operator, started using a mixture of Japanese and Australian rice at about 70 percent of its stores in late February.

Since 1995, Japan has accepted a certain amount of foreign-produced rice as tariff-free imports. The country currently imports 767,000 tons of such rice a year.

Most of the imported rice is used for processed food products or livestock feed. However, 100,000 tons are sold as a staple food, which is how Seiyu plans to sell the Chinese rice.

Seiyu's move comes as the country moves toward liberalizing its trade--for example, through the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade agreement negotiations.

The government currently imposes a 778 percent tariff on imported rice. If the tariff is removed or sharply reduced following the TPP talks, a large amount of foreign rice is expected to be imported to Japan.

Seiyu apparently decided to import the Chinese rice to gauge consumers' reactions in anticipation of such a scenario, according to observers.

Source.

[Coligny]

The government currently imposes a 778 percent tariff on imported rice. If the tariff is removed or sharply reduced following the TPP talks, a large amount of foreign rice is expected to be imported to Japan.

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/business/T120309006047.htm

fucking commies...

Like imported cars in Vietnam...

[Bucky]

"Foreign rice is for foreigners,"

[Netherlander]

"Foreign rice is for foreigners,"

The most interesting thing I got out of that link was to see a few posters I had never even seen before. Not to mention that you found a post from 9 years ago! That's just before I even got my first computer!:D

[Kanchou]

For only 20% less, the concept of eating Chinese rice isn't very appealing...

778% tariff means the rice originally cost what, 160 yen?

[Russell]

For only 20% less, the concept of eating Chinese rice isn't very appealing...

But that's the whole point, now isn't it? If it were appealing, it wouldn't be allowed...

I keep scratching my head, BTW, why the US has let Japan repeatedly get away with these rice tariffs, while they themselves opened their markets to Japanese products.

[Netherlander]

I keep scratching my head, BTW, why the US has let Japan repeatedly get away with these rice tariffs, while they themselves opened their markets to Japanese products.

Bases in Okinawa maybe.......... I guess they have to return the favor somehow......

[Russell]

Bases in Okinawa maybe.......... I guess they have to return the favor somehow......

Yes, that may have been true in the past. These bases certainly align with US strategic interests.

Increasingly, however, they are also in the interest of Japan, though most Japanese seem not to realize. If the US leaves Japan on its own, all hell breaks loose (yes, I am referring to China).

[Coligny]

Yes, that may have been true in the past. These bases certainly align with US strategic interests.

Increasingly, however, they are also in the interest of Japan, though most Japanese seem not to realize. If the US leaves Japan on its own, all hell breaks loose (yes, I am referring to China).

I think Taiwan would need clean underwear first...

[james]

I think Taiwan would need clean underwear first...

fortunately, good clean underwear can be imported cheap from china

[Russell]

fortunately, good clean underwear can be imported cheap from china

Now, that is what I call creating a market for one's product!!!

[Kanchou]

But that's the whole point, now isn't it? If it were appealing, it wouldn't be allowed...

I keep scratching my head, BTW, why the US has let Japan repeatedly get away with these rice tariffs, while they themselves opened their markets to Japanese products.

Because Japanese wouldn't buy American products even if they weren't tariffed anyway...

But at least Japanese people can import grey market cars.... you see PLENTY of left-hand-drive American cars, but in America anything right-hand drive that's under 25 years old is virtually impossible to import.

[Coligny]

Because Japanese wouldn't buy American products even if they weren't tariffed anyway...

But at least Japanese people can import grey market cars.... you see PLENTY of left-hand-drive American cars, but in America anything right-hand drive that's under 25 years old is virtually impossible to import.

No need for grey market here. Some cars are officially sold LHD by the maker when the market size don't justify proper localisation. Fiat, Renault, Peugeot.

The Clio V6 was sold here under the name of Lutecia V6 (japanese market name only) but LHD...

[Samurai_Jerk]

Because Japanese wouldn't buy American products even if they weren't tariffed anyway.

What a load of shit. If that were true, there'd be no need for tariffs.

[matsuki]

What a load of shit. If that were true, there'd be no need for tariffs.

Have to agree, that same attitude was taken by those opposing Mickey Dee's, Starbucks, etc. etc. "We Japanese eat rice, not hamburgers" etc. etc.

[Kanchou]

American rice and food staples yes, but for the most part American-made products (cars, electronics) aren't any better or cheaper than Japanese-made ones. And the XBOX wasn't exactly a hit in Japan.

[Samurai_Jerk]

American rice and food staples yes, but for the most part American-made products (cars, electronics) aren't any better or cheaper than Japanese-made ones. And the XBOX wasn't exactly a hit in Japan.

It depends on the product and whether or not you mean manufactured in the US or a US brand. US apparel companies have done well in Japan and since Apple released the iPhone it's hard to say that the Japanese won't buy American electronics. There's also software, movies, music, tobacco, alcohol .....

[FG Lurker]

fortunately, good clean underwear can be imported cheap from china

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to james again.

[Kanchou]

It depends on the product and whether or not you mean manufactured in the US or a US brand. US apparel companies have done well in Japan and since Apple released the iPhone it's hard to say that the Japanese won't buy American electronics. There's also software, movies, music, tobacco, alcohol .....

Yeah, it only took the iPhone what, five years from launch to really make an impact here?

Do cosmetics, apparel, and electronics even have tarrifs? The iPhone doesn't cost all that much more here. I can't say much about cosmetics or apparel since I don't buy them here.

Obviously having less tarrifs would be good for the consumer. But I think if given the choice between European and American cars when buying a foreign model, Japanese would almost always choose a European car.

Not that you don't see people driving Jeeps, Escalades, and the occasional Hummer, but they're far and few between and are generally considered a niche.

[Coligny]

Most US cars are totally unusable on jroads. The only fords I see are from the euro lineup. Meanwhile... krauters are all over the place... even Opel...

There's limit to the impractibility of what is basically just a tool...

[Samurai_Jerk]

Obviously having less tarrifs would be good for the consumer. But I think if given the choice between European and American cars when buying a foreign model, Japanese would almost always choose a European car.

I'm not sure what your point is. You went from Japanese won't buy American goods so tariffs don't matter to they won't buy American cars other than a niche market for things like Hummers. I'm not disagreeing with that I'm disagreeing with the premise that Japanese people won't buy American goods in general.

[maraboutslim]

I asked my wife about it just to get a reaction out of her (we eat california rice!) and she said the Chinese rice has "chemicals" in it so she'd never eat it. I assume she just assumes so because of the previous cases of contaminated or otherwise unhealthy chinese products...

[IparryU]

I asked my wife about it just to get a reaction out of her (we eat california rice!) and she said the Chinese rice has "chemicals" in it so she'd never eat it. I assume she just assumes so because of the previous cases of contaminated or otherwise unhealthy chinese products...

common japanese excuse... 'merican toothpaste has chemicals... hot sauce has chemicals... american juice has chemicals...

no shit... and apparently medicine has chemicals in it too

[GomiGirl]

I just mentioned this thread to my assistant who sits across the desk from me. I said that the new chinese rice was 20% cheaper. She said she didn't care.

She likes Chinese food but not Chinese people so she wouldn't buy the rice. There are too many Chinese people around Shinjuku and they are too noisy and pushy.

Didn't even get into it with her. I just smiled and nodded and changed the subject.

[matsuki]

common japanese excuse... 'merican toothpaste has chemicals... hot sauce has chemicals... american juice has chemicals...

no shit... and apparently medicine has chemicals in it too

Hahahaha, I wonder where they teach this shit. I hear that all the time.

I just mentioned this thread to my assistant who sits across the desk from me. I said that the new chinese rice was 20% cheaper. She said she didn't care.

She likes Chinese food but not Chinese people so she wouldn't buy the rice. There are too many Chinese people around Shinjuku and they are too noisy and pushy.

Didn't even get into it with her. I just smiled and nodded and changed the subject.

Hahaha! I dislike the mindset/behavior of most Chinese I encounter here but the Japanese take their hatred of the Chinese to the next level. Like we said in the "Chugoku Mitai!" thread, I've taken to referring to obnoxious Japanese who continue to call me gaijin instead of Americajin or my name as Chinese. Ask em where in China they're from or how to say certain things in Chinese. The results are always entertaining

[Coligny]

Didn't even get into it with her. I just smiled and nodded and changed the subject.

Ok, but how do you deal with the urge to kill afterward ?

[IparryU]

Ok, but how do you deal with the urge to kill afterward ?

tell her that japan asked china to set up a factory here... and that japan is buying chinese govt. bonds.

then watch her cry

[Kanchou]

I'm not sure what your point is. You went from Japanese won't buy American goods so tariffs don't matter to they won't buy American cars other than a niche market for things like Hummers. I'm not disagreeing with that I'm disagreeing with the premise that Japanese people won't buy American goods in general.

I think in general a lack of tariffs won't make any dents in the market share of domestic brands in any significant industries.

That's my point.

[Coligny]

I think in general a lack of tariffs won't make any dents in the market share of domestic brands in any significant industries.

That's my point.

steel !?

Textile...

automotive (ask the British)...

anything labor intensive...

Dood... I can draw you a map of industrial cemeteries...

1st world countries have sold their soul to mondialisation and wild kapitalism. I think we (frogs) are down to only 1 working oil refinery on the edge of closing down. We don't make steel anymore, no more coal. Textile in the north is deader than a hooker in Greji's closet... Remember the the first name of the European Union and it's driving force was common agreement on tarifs and trade for steel and coal (ECCS, or CECA, Economic Community for Coal and Steel). FFS, I don't even know if one of todays member still deal in these industries.

[Screwed-down Hairdo]

steel !?...FFS, I don't even know if one of todays member still deal in these industries.

Sure they do...they just replaced the second "e" with an "a" and got the poor people to do the dirty work for pay several times lower than even the minimum wage in their cuntries.