Japan Today Spotlight #20 | Japan's rice crisis: Why prices are soaring

The local just got 4kg packs of Calrose and is pricing them at 2300. Didn't look like they were selling well, which means people in these parts know their math.

Fundamental cause is ruling party LDP farm policy's misgovern. 

But, they try to camouflage it by topics stocked rice and famous minister.

I threw away some rice,that I did finish eating

The incompetent government is behind the high rice prices.

I’m tired of hearing excuses-foreigners eating the rice-poor rice harvests etc.

Now, the populace gets old rice at a cheap price?

Manipulation…

There a multitude of action and inactions with the annual rice harvest.

1: the black market

2: the timing of when the local governments release of water. The farmers decide change crops to plant when the water is released late so farmers decide to grow soy beans or buckwheat,

My partner parent are not farmers but own a bit of farm land which they lease out for a percentage of the crop and after harvest the shed is half full with 30 kg bags of rice which they barter for vegetables and fuel and the gardener and other trade people like concreate slab labour etc. this avoids taxes. I assume those in the same position do the lease for a percentage of the crop.

4: cultural Japanese respect the farmer for providing good quality products and trust has form over centuries and will only buy of the Japanese farmer who is dedicated to providing the best grown product. So much so will commit suicide as is Ibaraki and Fukushima when government approve comtiminated land deem useable but when the farmers tested the crop himself for radiation find out the government lied and were guilty sticken and killed themself. That how dedicated the relationship is between the Japaneses buyer and farmers. They only trust the rice grown in Japan not knowing if the imported rice have the same dedication as the Japanese Farmer for top quality rice.

Here we are in the Reiwa period but it sometimes feels like we are stuck in the Tokugawa period.

Why don’t the Japanese venerate cars and motorcycles as a lot of wealth and fortunes made by the Japanese are the result of their production in Japan?

I’ve eaten rice from many different countries and I’m still healthy.

It doesn’t where it’s from as long as high agricultural standards are upheld.

We can be assured that the work is certainly similar and the ‘dedication’ of the majority of farmers is evident.

I tire of this promulgated insular mindset in the 21st century.

Because JA purposely cut production a few years ago that caused a shortage which increased the prices and now that the shortage is actually gone they still haven't reduced the prices because of well you know people are buying it at the price...

If people stop buying it at the price a 4,000 plus yen per 5 kg bag then the prices will go down.

Great presentation.

Each time i visit my relative in Fukushima I come home with kilos of asparagus (which we freeze).

The color, head size. length. diameter and overall shape means that he can't send it to the local JA distributor.

Also, his contract with them prohibits him from selling directly to (online) customers.

He hates the present JA controlled system for the wastage and high consumer price that it creates.

gary

If I never eat rice again, I am just fine. I went to a restaurant the other day and ordered hamburger and buta jiru, and they brought rice too. Now when I go there, I emphatically say, “Gohan nashi de hambagu to buta jiru.” Saves me ¥200 and keeps my blood sugar low (generally 65-70).

Prices soaring for many reasons, including hording by retailers and consumers, especially nervous elderly, decreasing domestic production due to fewer farming daily, media coverage, poor crop yield due to weather, elderly farmers steadily becoming less productive, and not reinvesting in capital equipment for their farms etc.

The article highlights the alarming surge in rice prices in Japan, a staple deeply embedded in the nation’s culture and daily life. Factors such as poor harvests due to extreme weather, panic-buying triggered by disaster warnings, and longstanding agricultural policies have culminated in this crisis. The government’s response, including releasing emergency reserves and considering imports, underscores the severity of the situation. However, these measures seem to offer only temporary relief. This crisis not only affects consumers’ wallets but also challenges the sustainability of Japan’s agricultural practices. It serves as a wake-up call for policymakers to reassess and reform agricultural strategies to ensure food security and price stability in the long term.

According to the article, Japan is going through a pretty serious rice crisis right now, with prices going up and supplies running low. Honestly, I didn’t expect something like this to happen in Japan, where rice is such an essential part of daily life and culture. It’s kind of shocking to see people lining up just to buy basic food. The government is trying to fix things by releasing emergency stockpiles and maybe even importing rice, but I wonder if that’s enough. Maybe this is a wake-up call to rethink how food is produced and distributed, especially with climate change and an aging farming population. I really hope this leads to better support for local farmers and more sustainable systems in the long run. It’s not just about rice—it’s about food security and preserving a part of everyday life that many of us take for granted.

Japanese need to get used to trying other types of rice. Remember coking different types can mean slight alterations to how you cook and prepare it.

I bought a bag of imported Japanese from the Asian pantry near me for $9.99 AUD 1kg bag and it needs to be prepared differently. I blended it 3-1 with Australian long grain rice (after cooking separately) and left it in the cooker while my meal cooked. Turned out very nicely.

Dont be scared to try new things and play around with it for the best results. It may surprise you, pleasantly.

Dont be scared to try new things and play around with it for the best results. It may surprise you, pleasantly

Thought that was the basis of all cooking!

Government farming policies and the distribution system appears to be the underlying problem.

Thought that was the basis of all cooking!

Indeed, but in Japan there is an acknowledge trait of using only Japanese rice. So Japanese are overlooking the basic core of food. Try different foods and ways of preparing foods when it comes to other rice types. Be brave and try them. It could save you lots of money and with some foods it will be yummy and worth finding out that some foods suit other rice types. Like different wines compliment different foods, rice can have similar traits.

Using only Japanese rice is like drinking the same wine with all food types. Your missing out.

White rice is junk food.

They plan to export it. Why would the government sell the rice at less than the export price?

Allow rice to be imported, and the price will go down. There is no global shortage of rice. The problem is that policies enacted in Japan have helped prices to skyrocket, but only in Japan.