Rice
Why Rice is Scarce in Japan’s Supermarkets Right Now If you’ve recently visited a supermarket in Japan, you may have noticed a surprising absence of rice on the shelves. Across the country, shoppers have been met with empty rice sections and signs limiting purchases to one bag per person. But what’s causing this sudden shortage in a country where rice is a staple food? The current scarcity is due to several factors, including concerns about a potential Nankai Trough earthquake, though there’s no need to panic, according to Hiroshi Itakura, a representative from the agriculture ministry. “Rice is an annual crop, and the main rice-producing regions typically begin harvesting in September, making August the month when supplies are at their lowest,” Itakura explained. He also noted that in the years following the pandemic, there was an excess supply of rice because fewer people were dining out. This year, however, that surplus has been used up, and demand has returned to normal levels. “Th