Japan sees unlikely protest as rice farmers demand solutions to growing crisis

According to a latest article, The Economist features that in a rare display of protest in the heart of Tokyo, a group of rice farmers took to the streets of one of the city's most affluent districts, demanding attention to Japan's growing rice crisis. 

Dozens of tractors rumbled through the streets, accompanied by thousands of rice farmers in jumpsuits and rubber boots. Protesters carried signs that read “Farmers are a national treasure” and “NO RICE NO LIFE.” Kanno Yoshihide, the farmer who organized the protest, called it a modern-day peasant revolt, or Reiwa no hyakusho ikki, driven by factors such as aging populations and poor incomes. “It’s the first time we take to the streets at such scale,” Kanno remarked.

The protest comes amid growing concerns about Japan’s rice supply. Last year, rice shoppers were faced with empty shelves. Although rice is now available, prices in Tokyo skyrocketed by nearly 90 per cent in March compared to the previous year, the largest increase in half a century. To alleviate the crisis, the Japanese government has begun releasing 210,000 tonnes of its emergency rice reserves.

The shortage stemmed from a combination of extreme heat in the summer of 2023, which damaged crops, and increased demand. Higher prices for imported staples like wheat, exacerbated by the war in Ukraine, have made rice a more attractive option for consumers. Additionally, restaurants and households have stockpiled rice in response to warnings about a potential earthquake. “Customers panicked after seeing headlines about shortages,” said Akizawa Marie, a rice shop owner in Tokyo.

The crisis also highlights deeper issues in Japan’s rice production policies. For decades, the government restricted rice production to stabilize prices, paying farmers to plant less. While this policy was officially ended in 2018, it continues through subsidies that discourage rice cultivation. Farmers fear that without systemic change, the industry’s future will be uncertain. “The current situation is unsustainable—more people will continue to leave the industry,” warned Tenmyo Nobuhiro, a rice farmer.

By Naila Huseynova