Rice-the Past, the Present and the Future

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.