"We will consider (increasing rice production) well and take action," Ishiba said at a House of Councillors committee meeting. "We should consider it more proactively," he added.
Ishiba was responding to a question from Mitsuo Takahashi, an Upper House member from Komeito in the ruling coalition, who called for a production increase of some 500,000 tons.
The prime minister questioned Japan's conventional agricultural policy, saying: "In the whole world, few countries except Japan are reducing farmland and agricultural production. Should we really continue this?"
He emphasized the need to support agricultural producers who are working to improve productivity and expand exports.
Meanwhile, Hirofumi Yanagase of Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Innovation Party) asked Ishiba if he was willing to lower consumption tax, which U.S. President Donald Trump has called a nontariff trade barrier.
The prime minister sounded cautious about lowering consumption tax, saying, "We need to respond while considering what would be the most effective measure and how we would make up for a decline in (tax) revenue."
