On the island of Guam, Japanese have learned to be flexible about their rice. Guam is an American territory, and in retaliation for Japan's strict ban on imported rice, it is illegal to import Japanese rice. Twenty-five years ago, the chef at Guam's first sushi bar flew in Japanese rice illegally until a typhoon stopped a shipment and forced him experiment. He found American rice quite acceptable, as did his customers. California rice is now so popular tourists can take home a souvenir bag for just $5.
April 09, 2006
From Resistance to Acceptance
On the island of Guam, Japanese have learned to be flexible about their rice. Guam is an American territory, and in retaliation for Japan's strict ban on imported rice, it is illegal to import Japanese rice. Twenty-five years ago, the chef at Guam's first sushi bar flew in Japanese rice illegally until a typhoon stopped a shipment and forced him experiment. He found American rice quite acceptable, as did his customers. California rice is now so popular tourists can take home a souvenir bag for just $5.
