Kumamoto Prefecture, the nation's biggest producer of rush but battling through sluggish demand, has gotten some welcome news: A ranking member of the Abe administration has suggested tatami mats may be used in the athletes' village for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
"It's a blessing," said Kazuhiko Tanaka, 43, head of the agricultural product division in the Yatsushiro Municipal Government.
Yatsushiro is the largest rush production area in Kumamoto.