Japanese rice purchases are not a mass-market consumer behavior

Recently, news of Chinese people traveling to Japan to buy high-priced rice has drawn public attention. Niu Dun, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and Vice Minister of Agriculture, told reporters on the 4th that this is not a mass behavior, but mainly Chinese tourists buying local specialty products, and it need not be elevated to the level of food safety for discussion.

Niu Dun said this is mainly a matter of consumer preference. Koshihikari rice from Japan has a market price of more than 100 yuan per kilogram, and Chinese people going to Japan to buy this kind of rice is not a mass behavior. In Japan and in China, it is also sold as gift rice.

"I personally believe that Chinese people going to Japan to buy rice is mainly to try something new. Our traditional culture stresses that 'even a poor family should be generous on a journey,' and that when you go out you should be presentable, and when you return you should give something to relatives and friends. Buying some specialty agricultural products from their place of origin is mainly out of this consideration, and it need not be elevated to the level of food safety for discussion." Niu Dun said that as a consumer, he would not choose Japanese rice.

Niu Dun noted that currently Chinese aquatic products are welcomed by the Japanese market and have even sold out, "and when they arrive in Japan, the other side specifically keeps the Chinese packaging."