JAMES R. SIMPSON, an agricultural economist specializing in world food and livestock issues, is Affiliate Professor at the Thomas S. Foley Institute for Public Policy and Public Service, Washington State University, and President, Asian Water and Resources Institute. He is Professor Emeritus at the University of Florida as well as Professor Emeritus at Ryukoku University in Kyoto, Japan, where he recently spent 10 years as Professor (tenured) of International Economics and Food. In addition to six years of long-term assignments in Latin America, he has also worked short-term and had professional visits in over 35 other countries, including more than 20 trips to China (PRC) spanning a period of over a year. Dr. Simpson is author of nine books on international agricultural topics including four on Japan as well as one on China. He is also author of more than 400 articles, monographs and chapters in books, including 60 on China. He has done extensive consulting with organizations such as The World Bank, The Latin American Development Bank, The Asian Development Bank, and the CG System of International Research Centers as well as many private companies.