Group 1 - The core issue is the rice shortage in Japan, leading to a significant price increase of over 98% compared to the previous year, with prices reaching around 24 RMB per kilogram [1] - The rising rice prices have forced Japanese households to be more budget-conscious and alter their dietary habits, yet farmers are not benefiting from these price increases due to rising production costs and profit margins being squeezed by distribution channels [1][2] - The Japanese government is responding to the crisis by releasing reserve rice and increasing imports, which may alleviate short-term price pressures but could increase long-term dependency on international markets [2][3] Group 2 - The agricultural model in East Asia, including Japan, has historically been characterized by small-scale family farming, which has led to vulnerabilities in food security and reliance on external markets [4][5] - Since the mid-20th century, East Asian economies have shifted towards export-oriented manufacturing, sacrificing agricultural stability and increasing reliance on food imports [13][14] - The decline in food self-sufficiency rates in Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea has been significant, with Japan's grain self-sufficiency dropping from 88% in 1955 to below 50% by the 1980s [21][24] Group 3 - The agricultural policies in Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan have evolved to prioritize industrialization and urbanization, leading to a neglect of agricultural production and a shift towards a consumption-oriented society [12][14] - The reliance on imported food has been exacerbated by the increasing demand for meat and dairy, which requires substantial imports of feed grains [32][35] - The structural dependency on external food sources has created vulnerabilities, as seen in the recent rice crisis, highlighting the need for a reevaluation of agricultural policies in the region [42][48]

Group 1 - The Philippine government announced a pilot program to sell rice at 20 pesos per kilogram, significantly lower than the current market price, in response to public dissatisfaction with high food prices [3][4][6] - The implementation of the Rice Tariffication Law in 2019 led to the removal of import quotas on rice, allowing for increased imports from countries like Vietnam and Thailand, but did not benefit local farmers as intended [7][10] - The Philippines has become the world's largest rice importer in 2023, surpassing China, with a self-sufficiency rate below 80% for two consecutive years [10][11] Group 2 - The price of rice in the Philippines increased by 17.9% in September 2023, contradicting government promises to control food inflation [11] - Local farmers are facing declining purchasing prices for their rice, with the price dropping from 20 pesos to 14 pesos per kilogram, leading to significant income losses [12][14] - The Rice Tariffication Law has resulted in an estimated loss of 52 billion RMB for farmers due to decreased purchasing prices since its implementation [15] Group 3 - The Philippine government has allocated 10 billion pesos annually to improve rice competitiveness through the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund, but many provided agricultural machines are unsuitable for local conditions [20][21] - The government has also implemented measures such as seed promotion, low-interest loans, and cash subsidies to support farmers, but these efforts have not effectively addressed the underlying issues [21][39] - Climate disasters have exacerbated the challenges faced by rice farmers, with significant crop losses reported during events like the El Niño phenomenon [24][25] Group 4 - The rising rice prices have led to increased spending on rice, which constitutes nearly 10% of household budgets in the Philippines, and up to 20% for poorer families [29][30] - The government plans to reduce rice tariffs from 35% to 15% in June 2024 to stabilize prices, aiming for a target price of 29 pesos per kilogram [33] - Despite increased supply, rice prices have continued to rise, indicating complexities in the market that are not accounted for by traditional supply-demand models [35][36] Group 5 - The Rice Tariffication Law has not fulfilled its promises to consumers and farmers, leading to calls for a reevaluation of trade liberalization policies [39][41] - Activists argue for a return to supporting local agriculture and empowering farmers, emphasizing the need for sustainable practices and self-sufficiency [42][61] - Organizations like SEARICE are working to empower farmers by promoting local seed varieties and reducing dependency on commercial seeds, which could lead to more sustainable agricultural practices [44][49][50]