Import Liberalization and Domestic Beef: A Simulation based on an Econometric Model

Abstract

The ratio of animal food to total food consumption generally tends to increase in accordance with the progress of economic development and social modernization. In Japan this first began with an increase in the consumption of Seafoods. After the Second World War the consumption of livestock products became significant. The traditional Japanese beef is Wagyu which has been supplied by fattening draft cattle. Shimofuri, or marbled beef, has been provided by prolonging the breeding period of cattle during which time intramuscular fat is formed. The number of draft cattle decreased with the growing popularity of agricultural machines, thereby reducing Japan’s meat resources. As a countermeasure the government has restricted beef imports and protected the production of Wagyu.