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.

“There was already a slight shortage in June, July, and August,” Itakura continued, “but recently, warnings about the Nankai Trough earthquake have led to an increase in rice sales, alongside other emergency supplies like water. Additionally, recent earthquakes in Kanagawa and Ibaraki prefectures may have driven people to stock up.”

Other factors contributing to the shortage include increased consumption by inbound tourists and the impact of high temperatures on rice harvests, according to a representative from the Central Union of Agricultural Co-operatives (JA Zenchu).

Moreover, rice prices have remained relatively stable compared to other staples, which may have encouraged more people to buy rice. The latest consumer price index from the Ministry of Internal Affairs shows that rice prices have only risen 7% since 2020, compared to 21% and 20% increases for bread and noodles, respectively.

However, with the new rice harvest, or shinmai, starting to reach stores, the shortage may soon ease.

“The distribution of new rice has begun, with early varieties like Koshihikari from Miyazaki and Kagoshima already appearing in stores. Rice from Chiba has also been available in the Tokyo area since o-Bon,” Itakura said, referring to the mid-August festival. “Full-scale distribution of new rice will begin soon.”

The JA Zenchu representative emphasized the importance of avoiding panic-buying.

“There’s enough stock for everyone, so the government asks people to remain calm and act responsibly,” the representative said. “It’s crucial for both producers and consumers to maintain a healthy balance between supply and demand. We need to closely monitor the situation and ensure that our production efforts align with rice demand in 2025.”