The World Trade Organization opens three days of farm trade talks in Geneva on Wednesday. Japan, which maintains high tariffs on rice and other sensitive products, is likely to find itself on the defensive, as it did in previous talks. But maintaining a rigid policy of protection is not a sensible option.
Of all farm products, rice — a staple food for the Japanese — is the most important. The government is seeking "special treatment" — continued imposition of exceptionally high tariffs — for rice imports. Although other countries are opposed to such a deal, a realistic compromise can be reached if Japan offers meaningful concessions on other products.
Progress at the Geneva session is of vital importance to the success of the WTO round of global trade talks. The meeting will be followed by similar sessions in late June and mid-July. And in late July the WTO plans to adopt a framework agreement on agricultural trade, although that is by no means assured at the moment. To that end, Japan needs to play a positive role.