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In Japan, since the beginning of the summer of 2024, there has been a shortage of rice in stores and supermarkets, and prices for this staple food have sharply increased, according to the "Sankei Shimbun" publication. Supplies of the new rice harvest will begin to increase, gradually helping to cope with the shortage. However, it is expected that prices will remain high.
The shortage of rice, which is a key food product for the Japanese, has had colossal consequences for ordinary citizens and led to panic buying. Even microwave popcorn rice was sold out, and some supermarkets began to limit the purchase to no more than one bag of rice per family.
Residents of Japan are warned about the upcoming rise in rice prices, which may lead to the increase in prices of other goods. Citizens are advised to stay calm and respond adequately to this situation.
Concerns about the rice shortage arose long before it became a pressing issue. However, disruptions in the distribution system caused unwarranted panic. The Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries must take this situation seriously and develop flexible strategies to respond to such situations, notes the editorial board of the "Sankei Shimbun." Several factors have contributed to the rice shortage.
A decrease in rice distribution volumes was caused by a poor harvest in 2023 due to extreme heat, as well as an increase in demand resulting from more people eating out and the availability of rice compared to alternative products. A specific earthquake warning in the Nankai Trough also influenced people's tendency to stock rice. The shortage revealed issues in the rice supply system to Japan, and it is difficult to say whether the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries adequately responded to this developing situation.
Rice is the main food product in Japan, and currently, the Japanese archipelago is constantly suffering from extreme heat and other harsh weather conditions. One of the effective strategies to combat this issue could be planting a greater variety of rice strains capable of withstanding high temperatures.
