Globalization of Food Market and the Inspection System for Imported Food in Japan(Security, Relief in Food and Representation of Quality, Symposium Reports at 2003 Annual Meeting of the Society)

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to examine the shoreline inspection system for imported food in Japan, which has a food self-sufficiency rate of just 40 percent. First, I consider the globalization of the food market which has brought the increase of food imports. Secondly, the transformation of shoreline quarantine system under the globalization is examined. Thirdly, the present import food inspection system is analyzed, and the attainment point and the problems are clarified. The conclusion finds that under the name of globalization of food safety, which is referred to as harmonization, the government is weakening the prevention function for potential harm by the imported food at the shoreline level of inspection.