* Cold Region Port and Harbor Engineering Research Center
** Public Consultants Co., Ltd.
***Hokkaido University
****Kyoto University
ABSTRACT
Japan's food self-sufficiency rate is extremely low compared with other developed countries, and is declining yearly. The nation's grain self-sufficiency rate in 1993 was only 22% and its calorie supply self-sufficiency rate was 37%, due partly to a very poor rice crop. It is certainly one of the lowest levels in the world and regarded as a serious problem from the viewpoint of food security. Considering Japan's present food consumption structure, in which an enormous amount of grains (30 million tons a year) has to be imported, maintaining a reserve of major grains is an extremely important issue for Japanese people. It is necessary to at least maintain an appropriate standard of reserves of staple foods. Thus, it is essential to start considering the establishment of an operational food reserve system and the establishment of food reserve bases. In consideration of the necessity for food reserve, this paper presents the results of an examination of technologies, systems and costs required for long-term storage of rice, using port regions in Hokkaido as models. It also proves that port regions in Hokkaido with cold climates are most suitable as large-scale, cold-temperature rice reserve bases.
1. Introduction
Since the two oil crises, the Japanese government has been maintaining oil reserves to ensure energy security. While food security is another important aspect of the nation's crisis management system, the low standard of the nation's food reserve was revealed by the poor rice crop in 1993. Food security through reserve is something that should be ensured in a country like Japan, which has an extremely low food self-sufficiency rate.
In consideration of the necessity for food reserve, this paper examines technologies, systems and costs necessary for a large-scale, cold-temperature rice reserve base usingport regions in Hokkaido as models.
2. Necessity of Reserves and Basic Policies
2-1 Food self-sufficiency and supply in Japan
Japan's food self-sufficiency rate is 67% in food-use agricultural products, 47% in calorie supply (37% in 1993 due to the poor rice crop) and 29% in grains (22% in 1993). According to FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) data, Japan's calorie supply self-sufficiency rate is among the lowest of over 100 countries around the world. Out of 24 OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) countries, Holland, Switzerland and Japan are the only countries with grain self-sufficiency rates of approximately 30%. However, the calorie supply self-sufficiency rates are 98% in Holland and 65% in Switzerland. In both countries, nutrition supply per capita is far more than 3, 000 kcal and the level of nutrition intake is also high. Japan's standard, which is about three- quarters of those countries, is average for a moderately developed country, or among the lowest for developed countries.
Japan's self-sufficiency rate is declining yearly and this trend is expected to continue. This decline in self-sufficiency rate indicates the increasing necessity of reserves.
The nation's self-sufficiency rates in grains and calorie supplies were both approximately 80% in 1960. In 1990, 30 years later, domestic production of grains had decreased and imports had increased. It can also be said that Japanese dietary habits have changed, as there was hardly any change in calorie intakes despite the increase in food supply. (Tables 2-1, 2-2)
