The city of Hakui in Ishikawa Prefecture is using organic rice, which is grown without pesticides or fertilizers, to compete in a growing global market.
With crop prices expected to drop after the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership goes into effect at the end of this month, organic rice grown in Hakui will be exported to the United States next year with a price tag of about ¥2,000 per kilogram.
Hakui's rice, grown in an area near the border with Toyama Prefecture, is called Mikoharamai and is well-known as the rice offered to the pope.