Given Japan's low food self-sufficiency ratio and dearth of energy resources, the sōgō shōsha have acted as a lifeline to Japan's economy through the import of foodstuffs and energy resources.

However, the sōgō shōsha's involvement goes far beyond just importation. Here, I would like to look at the sōgō shōsha's business model using food and energy value chains.

Grain to supermarkets