In the years before the war Japan imported increasing quantities of foodstuffs. In 1913 and 1914 these imports, which consisted mainly Of rice from indo-china, beans from Manchuria, and wheat and ﬂour from Australia and the United States, were equivalent to between 5 and 10 per cent of the amount Of food produced in Japan.
Oduring the War, however, exports have slightly exceeded imports. The more important articles, of food exported are rice, beans, peas, and vegetable oils to the United States and Great Britain, and wheat ﬂour to China and Great Britain. Prior to 1914 Japan imported a considerable amount Of flour, but now has developed a large export trade. In 1917 Great Britain imported long tons Of wheat ﬂour from Japan.