world
Japan's agriculture minister promotes Japanese rice at Paris supermarket
Japan's agriculture minister handed out rice balls made from Japanese rice to shoppers at a supermarket near Paris on Friday as part of a Japanese food fair. The event followed an earlier inspection of Japanese food shops in the city and was organized with support from the supermarket and JETRO.
japantimes.co.jpAudio version
Tap play to generate a narrated version.
Developing·Limited corroboration so far. This page will refresh as more sources emerge.
Japan's agriculture minister handed out rice balls made from Japanese rice to shoppers at a supermarket near Paris on Friday. The event took place at a Japanese food fair held at the supermarket in Claye-Souilly. The minister said that everyone who sampled the rice balls described them as delicious and that sales channels for Japanese rice could open up significantly.
Background to the promotion In January the minister inspected Japanese food shops and other locations in Paris to explore ways to increase Japan's rice exports. Friday's tasting event resulted from cooperation between the supermarket and the Japan External Trade Organization.
The minister noted that average European households typically do not own rice cookers and said the Japanese government needs to develop a sales strategy that includes specific proposals to encourage rice consumption.
Related developments At a three-day Group of Seven summit in Evian, eastern France, that ended on Wednesday, leaders adopted a statement calling for measures against soaring fertilizer prices and supply disruptions linked to developments in the Middle East.
On Saturday the minister is scheduled to visit Morocco, which exports phosphorus, a fertilizer ingredient, to Japan. The minister said talks with Moroccan government officials will focus on securing adequate phosphorus shipments to Japan regardless of the situation.
