Japan must eliminate hidden agriculture taxes to progress at Doha | The Japan Times Online: "Japan needs to consider two things.

First, Japan needs to examine whether its high farm tariffs have helped its farmers improve productivity or raise food self-sufficiency. It is rather difficult to get positive answers. Japan is suffering from a serious shortage of farm workers, which indicates the farming industry is no longer attractive to the younger generation.

Second, the nation should realize it is being forced to pay more for food because of the high tariffs imposed on importers. Consumers in western countries can generally buy grain at international prices, but the Japanese have to buy it at inflated prices because of the hefty tariffs, which are reflected in the prices of basic foodstuffs, such as bread. This is no different than charging a tax, except that it is invisible and has a rate much higher than the 5 percent consumption tax.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has made consumer demand-led growth one of the key objectives of his administration. But the truth is that high farm tariffs are effectively indirect taxes that erode consumer buying power.

Both internationally and domestically, it is urgent that Japan reduce tariff rates on farm products."