He is opposed to opening Japanese markets to rice imports, as demanded by Washington.

And nearly all of that group said they would support rice imports even if that hurt Japanese farmers.

But the plan might violate Japan's ban on rice imports.

The government also would reduce rice imports to a minimum.

International Japan's Government said it would not relax its ban on rice imports.

Japan's ban on rice imports could become an obstacle to a new global trading treaty.

American officials remained noncommittal on the question of rice imports today.

A licensing system was created to limit the amount of rice import.

South Korea also wants to keep a ban on rice imports, and other nations are expected to seek specific exceptions.

Japan already defends its restrictions on rice imports as a matter of food security.