Japan turns to South Korea for rice as prices soar, consumer outrage grows

Proceeding from a fresh article, The Guardian unveils that in a rare move, Japan has imported rice from South Korea for the first time in 25 years to address the escalating cost of domestic rice and growing consumer frustration.

Reports confirm that South Korean rice arrived in Japan last month, marking the first such import since 1999. This step comes as the price of Japan’s own rice continues to rise, despite government efforts to mitigate the financial burden on consumers.

The cost of domestically grown rice has more than doubled compared to last year, creating a surge in demand for foreign rice, even with hefty tariffs on imports. Currently, only two tonnes of South Korean rice have been sold through supermarkets and online platforms, but plans are underway to import an additional 20 tonnes, according to NHK.

While Japanese consumers have historically been wary of the taste and quality of imported rice—evidenced by the failure of Thai rice imports in 1993—the ongoing price crisis has led many to accept foreign alternatives. South Korean rice exports to Japan are expected to reach their highest levels since 1990, with the US also seeing new opportunities to supply the Japanese market.

Tokyo restaurant owner Arata Hirano switched to American rice last year after the shortage of domestic rice drove prices up sharply. He noted that while the cost of Californian rice had doubled, it was still more affordable than locally grown rice. Despite the switch, Hirano has received no complaints from diners, including Miki Nihei, who was surprised to learn her rice wasn’t from Japan. "I had no idea,” Nihei said. “Prices have gone up, so I’m always looking for cheaper options.”

The average price of rice in Japanese supermarkets has more than doubled, reaching ¥4,214 ($30) for 5kg by April 6. In response, the Japanese government has begun releasing stockpiled rice to ease the crisis, but logistical challenges have led to minimal impact on the market.

By Naila Huseynova