The Japanese have cultivated rice for over 2000 years and it is an important part of their diet and culture. In ancient times, rice growing was a religious act and the Japanese Emperor still performs several traditional "Shinto" ceremonies to bless and protect rice crops. Koreans eat rice with every meal. It is a shorter grain rice and bland tasting to cool the heat of the often very spicy food. Half of the world's population eats rice daily. In Asia, almost every meal has rice so the calories are very important for people to have enough food to eat. Countries attach great importance to rice produced in their own country; there is a lot of pride associated with rice growing techniques. An example of the pride is —Japan and Korea both eat every bit of rice they produce and only import when they run out.