Japan's dependence on imports of fertilizer raw materials exposed by the Strait of Hormuz crisis and intentions of visiting Morocco

The Strait of Hormuz crisis showed not only the supply of energy and chemicals, but also how the foundations of global food production have relied on limited choke points. How can Japan, which relies on foreign countries for most of the fertilizer raw materials that form the basis of agriculture, protect itself?

June 19th, the world was excited about the Soccer World Cup. Norikazu Suzuki, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, visited the major supermarket Carrefour in Paris to promote Japanese food, and headed to the airport the same day. The destination was Morocco in North Africa.

Initially, he was only supposed to be the top seller of Japanese food in France. In response to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz in early spring, he added a visit to Morocco at short notice. At the site, he met with Mustafa Tellab, chairman of Morocco's Royal Phosphate Mineral Corporation (OCP), and Ahmed El Bouari, Minister of Agriculture. They toured a phosphate rock processing plant.

This article introduces new efforts to reduce Japan's dependence on foreign countries, as Japan relies on imports for most of its fertilizer raw materials.

Morocco is the raw material for making fertilizer...