MEAT TRADE LIBERALIZATION AND SOYBEAN-RAPESEED COMPETITION IN THE JAPANESE MARKET

This study identifies variables which increase Japan's imports of canola (soybeans) at the expense of soybeans (canola), and quantifies their impacts by estimating an import demand model. A key finding is that lower Japanese meat production tends to increase rapeseed imports while lowering soybean imports. Thus, Canada benefited from U.S. and Australian efforts to open Japan's market for imported beef, since the vast majority of Japan's canola imports are from Canada.