Pork Policies in Japan

Overview

This report provides a detailed description and analysis of policies used by Japan to support its hog producers. Domestic policies include regional deficiency payment programs offering compensation to farmers when market prices fall below specified targets and subsidized hazard insurance. At the border, tariffs and the gate price system are applied to imported pork. The gate price is a minimum price at which imports are allowed to enter Japan. Safeguards are used to increase the tariff and the gate price if import growth exceeds trigger levels. Japan's policies raise the price of pork to consumers and limit the ability of foreign producers to compete in the Japanese market.