🍚 Japan’s Rice Crisis Deepens as Prices Hit Record Highs 🇯🇵

Japan is grappling with its worst rice shortage in decades, leading to record-high prices and widespread consumer frustration. The average price for a 60kg bag of rice harvested in 2024 has soared to over ¥26,400 ($184), driven by a poor 2023 harvest, inflation, and supply chain disruptions. 

In response, the government has released 600,000 metric tons from its emergency reserves and is considering additional imports to stabilize the market. Despite these measures, supermarket shelves remain sparse, and long queues persist, highlighting the severity of the crisis.

Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi has initiated reforms, including direct sales of stockpiled rice to retailers, aiming to reduce prices and improve distribution efficiency. However, critics argue that longstanding protectionist policies and an aging farming population have exacerbated the situation, calling for comprehensive agricultural reforms.

As the nation approaches key elections, the government’s handling of the rice shortage remains under intense scrutiny, with potential political ramifications on the horizon.