E-3. Calorie-Based Food Self-Sufficiency Ratio
1.Current Values
40% (FY 2003)
2.Current Points (out of a perfect score of 100 by 2050)
47 points
Calculation method:
(Current value - minimum value) / (2050 target
value - minimum value) x 100
3. Explanation of Indicator
Japan depends upon overseas imports
for its food supply; its food self-sufficiency
ratio is 40%, the lowest of the OECD countries.
In light of predictions that the world demand
for food will rapidly increase, this system of
excessive dependence on imports will become a
big cause for concern in terms of ensuring food
safety.
Moreover, the fact that there are many leftovers
even while food is being imported is a situation
that is a problem from the point of view of the
fair allocation of resources. Japan's food self-sufficiency
ratio must be improved for Japan to continue to
exist sustainably and with a higher degree of
fairness to other nations; we have selected it
as an indicator.
4.Target for 2050
85%
5.Ideal for the Future
100%
6. Rationale for Ideal and Target Values
The Basic Plan for Food, Agriculture,
and Rural Areas of Japan's Ministry of Agriculture,
Forestry and Fisheries (Cabinet approval March
2000) has set the target value for 2010 at 45%.
In order to attain this target there will have
to be an average increase of 1% each year after
2005. On the assumption that such a rate of increase
would continue after 2010, we can calculate that
a target of 85% could be reached by 2050.
The ideal would be circumstances in which the
domestic demand for calories could be met entirely
(100%) even if imports from other countries were
to be temporarily halted.
7. Source
Ministry
of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Food Self-Sufficiency
Ratio for Fiscal 2003
8. Notes
Percentage of total food calories supplied
to the Japanese population that are met by domestic
production. Additionally, "food mileage",
an estimated value representing the amount of
food imported multiplied by the distance between
the exporting country and Japan, is a candidate
for being an indicator given the environmental
burden that transporting imposes.