Japan a food colony of U.S.
Friday, June 20, 2003
Journalist Yoichiro Aonuma warns in "The Dangers of Being a Food Colony" (Bungei Shunju) that Japan is facing food
safety problems because it has become a "food colony" of the United States. Japan's food self-sufficiency ratio stands at less than 40% in calorie terms, and the country relies heavily on U.S. imports to make up the difference.
The Japanese would starve without food from the United States, explains Aonuma.
As the products must be transported over long distances in journeys lasting many hours, imports are treated with post-harvest chemicals.
Japan's pesticide residue limits and other regulatory standards for foodstuffs that are imported largely from the United States-such as beef, potatoes, wheat, and corn-are set to conform with what suits America, criticizes Aonuma.
Yet because Japan has no choice but to import 60% of its food, pointing out the dangers of imported grain and other foodstuffs is like a lodger complaining about a meal offered by the host.
Aonuma deplores how Japan, as a food colony, has limited choice about its food.
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