The purpose of this paper is to clarify factors that have an influence on the competitiveness in the selling of rice. Therefore I looked back on the history of rice distribution from the viewpoint of quality. As a result, I made clear that a wide variety of “quality" is necessary at the actual demand stage; however, consciousness of the grading based on the area of production and the kind of rice remains on not only the production side but also that of the consumers even now, and this is because it was carried out under the former food control system. In addition, I pointed out that an improvement in the essential quality of rice is demanded under the assumption international competition, but the weakening of farming manpower is a serious problem.