RE: [Pen-l] Japanese rice protection

["Perelman, Michael" <MPerelman@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

       In my book, Farming For Profit in a Hungry World, I have a short
section discussing the problem.  I am not sure how my description fits
in the current situation, but at the time I was writing (1977), the
people producing price were old and had no alternative employment.  The
subsidies for rice growing functioned like a welfare system.  Since the
workers had no economic opportunity costs, the savings in welfare costs
have to be calculated into any rational decision.

-----Original Message-----
From: pen-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:pen-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Gar Lipow
Sent: Friday, July 25, 2008 4:34 PM
To: Progressive Economists List
Subject: [Pen-l] Japanese rice protection

It seems overwhelmingly mainstream economic opinion that Japanese rice
protection is without justification, with huge costs to Japanese
consumers and no benefits. Is this a case where the mainstream is
right, or are there legit food securit and social welfare arguments to
be made for being able to produce a staple locally? It is always
interesting to look at the poster children for the conventional
wisdom.

Any heterodox works I should look at on this? Is this just pure small
interest group catering with no larger benefits for  for Japan as a
whole, or at least none that outweigh the costs? Would the global
south be better off today if Japan was importing rice? Am I right in
understanding that Japan currently is exporting rice to hungry nations
over U.S. objections, and would release even more if it did not want
to avoid pissing off the U.S. too badly?
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