JAPAN (31 July)
Low temperatures and little sunshine since late June have caused a substantial delay in the growth of rice. As of July 15 the rice growth condition was poor in 20 prefectures from northeastern to western Japan.
The rice acreage is expected to be lower as the market-oriented rice policy reforms continue. Some 253 billion yen will be set aside for financial help for farmers who reduce their rice acreage in 2004, up from 243.3 billion yen this year.