Japan faces rice shortage crisis amid tourist surge and poor harvests

Japan is currently grappling with a significant rice shortage, an issue that has sparked widespread concern and confusion across the nation.

Tourists are reportedly consuming Japan's rice reserves at an alarming rate, leading to a significant shortage, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

Rice, a staple of Japanese cuisine traditionally enjoyed at every meal, is central to the diet of many Japanese people. Consequently, the sudden disappearance of rice from store shelves this summer has sparked widespread concern and confusion.

Media reports indicate that the shortage is impacting suppliers nationwide. In Niigata Prefecture, a major rice-producing region, wholesalers have reported a dramatic drop in stock levels, with one wholesaler indicating they had only 10 tonnes of rice remaining, compared to the usual 240 tonnes.

Retailers across the country have expressed similar concerns, noting an unprecedented situation. By the end of June, nationwide rice stock levels were at their lowest in 25 years, prompting many stores to impose purchase limits of one bag per customer. By July, numerous retailers were completely out of rice.

The crisis has been so severe that the media has coined the term “Reiwa no Kome Soudou” (Reiwa Rice Riots), with “Reiwa” referring to the current imperial era. While the situation has not led to actual riots, the panic buying and ongoing low stock levels have caused significant disruption.

What caused Japan's rice shortage? Industry experts point to last summer's extreme heat, which led to poor autumn harvests. Many farmers attribute this to global warming, though they acknowledge that it's not the sole factor. The low yield occurred simultaneously with a record influx of tourists.

The surge in tourism has significantly increased the demand for Japanese cuisine, aggravating the supply-demand imbalance. Visitor numbers soared to over 3 million per month for four consecutive months up to June, compared to 1.8 to 2 million per month during the same period the previous year. This sharp rise in tourists has contributed to the strain on rice supplies.

The combination of a poor harvest and booming tourist numbers creates a challenging situation. The increased demand has driven up rice prices and negatively affected farmers, wholesalers, restaurant owners, and everyday consumers who rely on rice. Additionally, Hiroyuki Kishi, a former economic and industrial bureaucrat, suggests there may be deeper issues. He claims that the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has been encouraging farmers to grow livestock feed instead of rice due to a decrease in demand for the grain, further reducing Japan's rice production.

The government has stated that rice stocks should stabilize by September with the new harvest. However, the so-called Reiwa Rice Riots may lead the authorities to reconsider their support for rice farmers, particularly given the increased consumption driven by tourists and the rising demand for this staple in Japan.