Myanmar is set to resume the export of rice to Japan in May, 45-years after the restrictions were established. This development is expected to strengthen the trade relations between the two countries.
The export of the first shipment of rice will be supervised by Japan's trading company Mitsui. About 5000 tons of long rice will be shipped from the port of Yangon, which will reach the city of Nagoya in Japan, reported the Financial Times.
Japan's agriculture ministry may offer the rice to domestic manufacturers of crackers, beer and Shochu, a distilled Japanese drink.
While Myanmar was a leading rice exporter in the 1934, its agriculture sector declined during the 50-year military rule, which was present in the country until 2011.
In 2012, Myanmar's total exports totalled 600,000 tons, according to the US Department of Agriculture, making it the tenth-largest supplier in the world. The government plans to raise the total to 5 million tons within five years.
