Imports of foreign rice, which were only approved seven years ago, are increasing yearly, finding regular Japanese buyers and gaining in popularity amid an ethnic food boom.
According to government statistics, 430,000 tons of rice were imported in fiscal 1995, and nearly 770,000 tons in fiscal 2000.
Major supermarket chain Daiei Inc. sells the popular Japanese strain Koshihikari, which is produced in California and Australia, at major outlets across the nation. Sales last year of the California variety jumped 20 percent from the year before and the Australian variety 10 percent.