Japan Resumes South Korean Rice Imports After 25 Years Amid Soaring Domestic Prices

Japan has imported rice from South Korea for the first time since 1999, marking a rare development in regional agricultural trade driven by a sharp increase in domestic rice prices, Bloomberg reports.

The move, though small in scale, underscores shifting market dynamics and a potential opening for greater cross-border cooperation in the face of global economic pressures.

According to an official from South Korea’s National Agricultural Cooperative Federation, commonly known as NongHyup, 2 tons of South Korean rice were imported and sold in Japan earlier this month. The sales were made through the organization’s Tokyo office via online platforms and local supermarkets. The shipment is the first of its kind since the office opened, and despite the modest volume, additional imports are planned, with 20 more tons expected to arrive in the coming weeks.

While Japan heavily favors domestically grown rice and enforces high import tariffs—approximately 340 yen ($2.41) per kilogram for quantities above a duty-free quota of 770,000 metric tons annually—the surge in rice prices has altered market conditions. Consumer rice prices in Japan jumped 92% in March compared to the same period last year, the fastest pace since records began in 1971, according to Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs.

The price spike, driven in part by domestic supply issues and inflationary pressures, has made foreign rice more competitive, even with steep tariffs. An official from NongHyup’s Tokyo office noted that the recent imports were quickly sold out, indicating growing consumer openness to alternatives amid rising costs.

This trade development comes against a broader backdrop of shifting global trade patterns. South Korea’s exports were hit hard in April, with protectionist policies from the United States contributing to the strain. At the same time, Asian nations including South Korea, Japan, and China have been seeking to strengthen economic ties and advance regional trade cooperation. Just last month, trade ministers from the three countries met in Seoul and reaffirmed their commitment to promoting free trade.