ABSTRACT
Japan is the largest food importing country in the world. Farmers are regarded as a pillar of the community and constitute a lobby which quite obviously exercises considerable influence over the importing of goods. The principal imported products are cereals, marine produce and meat and offal. Processed products such as canned meat and fish, canned fruit and vegetables, chocolate and confectionery, bakery products and beverages are not very important in relation to total imports of food and semi-luxuries. Alcoholic beverages are sold and delivered by importers and producers to retailers and to restaurants and bars via wholesalers. The distribution system for long-life bakery products is as many-layered as it is for other foods. The most important types of retail operation for bakery products are supermarkets, convenience stores, other general food shops, department stores and specialist shops.
