抄録
Rice originated in the highland of Asia, was introduced into Japan with the movement of people and culture, and adapted all over Japan as Japonica varieties, which have a very homo geneous hereditary nature as a result of inbreeding for long, long years. Tradition says that the rice in the past was not always the same as it now is, being often red, black, and/or fragrant. The systematic breeding of rice has begun since the middle of the Meiji era, but the target has changed from time to time depending upon the socio-economic situation, to which this paper refers in detail. This paper also explains research approach on the development of rice varieties by many prefectures and the outline of a project titled?gSuper Rice Program, ?hwhich the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries is carrying out . It is very difficult to look upon the rice in the future, since the international situation connected with rice is now fluctuating . However, it is certain that rice was, is and will be an important, staple food for Japanese, and at the same time, paddy field was, is and will be important to sustain a comfortable and moderate environment . And the qualities of rice will be improved in taste and diversified much more to meet the needs of consumers, food industries and medical cure.
