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Japan rice crop conditions normal as of Aug 15

TOKYO: Japan's rice growing conditions were normal as of August 15 and the crop harvest in fiscal 1995/96 (April/March) is expected to be normal, the Agriculture Ministry said.

"Overall rice crop conditions in Japan have been favourable due to the good weather conditions since late July," an official of the Agriculture Ministry told reporters.

However, the rice harvest in some areas such as Hokuriku, northern Japan, is expected to be slightly below usual levels, because of sustained low temperatures and a lack of sunshine in early and mid-July, the official said.

In fiscal 1994/95, Japan harvested 11.96 million tonnes of rice, the ministry said.

Asked about any bad effects on the rice harvest from recent higher temperatures in central Japan, the ministry official said: "There is certainly some concern, but we have not heard any reports so far."

Japan had to import about 2.5 million tonnes of foreign rice in 1993 and early 1994 to offset a bad rice harvest.-Reuter