By James P. Zumwalt, Charge d'Affaires ad interim, U.S. Embassy Tokyo

The Japanese version of this article appeared in the May 1, 2009 Mainichi Shimbun on page 6.

There are many things I find enjoyable about living in Japan, but sampling both traditional and new cuisines ranks very high on the list. Whether dining in small neighborhood restaurants or buying food in a grocery or a large department store, I always find the quality and the selection of food amazing. Equally astonishing to me is that Japan's dependence on imports generates so much worried discussion in the media and among Japanese government officials. The objective of raising the level of food self-sufficiency underlies current agricultural policies and is embedded in legislation. Much money has been spent in pursuit of this objective. But is it the best strategy for Japan? Is it realistic? Real food security for Japan, I believe, is built on two pillars: domestic production and imports.

Japanese today enjoy one of the highest quality food supplies and food cultures in the world, with Tokyo restaurants sporting 227 Michelin stars. Japan could not maintain its high standard of living and eating if it relied only on domestic food production. The "two pillar" strategy that supports it requires a shift to a broader view recognizing imported agricultural products as legitimate and wholesome contributors to the well-being of Japanese society. Public opinion leaders and policymakers would be well-served to make this shift in thinking. Private sector companies, with their long-established trading and investment relationships with reliable foreign suppliers - foremost among them is the U.S. - already know that imports complement domestic production to bolster Japan's food security. Japanese companies have invested in American agriculture and purchased reliable, high quality American agricultural products for over 60 years.

Japan, as a buyer of agricultural products in the competitive global marketplace, needs not only a healthy domestic agricultural sector, but also a healthy import sector. Therefore, Japan can enhance its food security by adopting rules that are consistent, transparent and science-based and by supporting international trading agreements that facilitate agricultural trade. Domestic agricultural production will always play its key role in Japan's food security, but the total strategy must also embrace imports from reliable suppliers. The U.S. has a professional, dedicated farming community and a sophisticated, science-based food safety regulatory system – a system that benefits all our customers, including our Japanese customers. U.S. farmers stand ready with Japanese farmers to continue fulfilling our role in feeding Japan together.