Japan is currently facing a nationwide rice shortage, impacting daily life and causing concern among consumers. Supermarkets across the country are struggling to keep rice on their shelves, with many implementing purchase restrictions to prevent hoarding. The scarcity has led to significant price increases, with some retailers reporting that rice prices have doubled compared to last year. In Tokyo, a 5kg bag of rice now costs around 3,000 yen, a 20% increase from the previous year.
Several factors have contributed to this shortage, including lower rice production in the previous year and higher demand from increased tourism. The Agriculture Minister expects the situation to improve in September as new rice crops become available. However, farmers are concerned about the typhoon that is currently affecting a wide range of parts of Japan.
In the meantime, retailers are adapting by increasing their stock of alternative products like frozen and instant rice. Consumers are expressing frustration, with some visiting multiple stores in search of rice. As Japan awaits the new rice crop, the situation shows how rice is an important part of Japanese culture, daily life, and economy.
But don’t worry! You can get the Japanese rice onigiri from here!
>>> Real ONIGIRI from JAPAN: Creating Buzz in Little Tokyo
To learn more about Japanese rice, read the January issue of JapanUp! online magazine for free! It has a special feature on Japanese rice, with everything from basic information to tasty ways to eat it.
