A Tokyo civic group sent a letter protesting the import and sale of genetically modified rice to the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry on Tuesday.
In its letter, signed by around 122,000 people, the NO! GMO Campaign claims rice developed with genetically modified organisms poses health hazards.
Officials of the group said measures need to be taken against the strong possibility that Japan will consider importing and marketing GMO rice in the future.
They said the government should protect the public's health as well as the domestic agriculture industry, which they claim has helped maintain the natural environment.
According to the group, the government has already approved the planting of 16 types of GMO rice, including animal feed.
Applications are likely to be made with the Health and Welfare Ministry for 10 of these types of rice to be approved as food products, the officials said.