Sweetener Policies in Japan

Overview

This report provides a detailed description and analysis of policies used by Japan to support its sugar producers and to regulate sweetener markets. Domestic policies include price floors for cane and beet farmers; subsidies to sugar refiners to compensate for the high cost of domestic sugarcane and sugarbeets; and quantity limits on the production of high-fructose corn syrup. All sugar imports must be sold to a government state-trading enterprise and then repurchased at a higher price. Prices within Japan are significantly above world prices as a result of Japan's policies.