In response to pressure from US trade negotiations, the Japanese government plans to establish a quota of 60,000 tons for US rice imports within the zero-tariff minimum access volume of 770,000 tons. According to Kyodo News, Japan intends to increase imports of American rice to meet the market opening demands of the Trump administration. It is rumored that Japan may set this quota based on the TPP agreement from 2015, which was never implemented after the US withdrew from TPP. Japan's rice harvest for 2024 is expected to be approximately 6.79 million tons, with the quota representing nearly 1%. Currently, rice imports from the US amount to about 340,000 tons.

Japan is facing a situation of rising rice prices due to the 'Reiwa Rice Turmoil,' leading consumers to seek cheaper import options. Additionally, the US Trade Barrier Report released at the end of March criticized Japan's rice import systems and non-tariff barriers regarding beef and potatoes, prompting the Japanese government to consider concessions. Any rice exceeding the quota will be subject to a tariff of 341 yen per kilogram (approximately NT$71, based on the exchange rate of 1 yen to 0.208 NT$ on April 23). Government officials reveal that Minister of Economic Revitalization, Akizawa Ryo, is leading the negotiations, and the US has shown strong interest in accessing Japan's agricultural and fishery products market. Japan analyzes that increasing the US quota while maintaining the total of 770,000 tons will have a controllable impact on domestic farmers. However, if import volumes rise and lead to lower rice prices, it could impact farmers' livelihoods. Given that the summer House of Councilors elections are approaching, the Japanese government will carefully assess the implications of this move on negotiations, and Akizawa is expected to visit the US again this month to consult further.