Despite the release of approximately 210,000 tons of emergency rice reserves into the market in February, rice prices in Japan continue to rise rapidly. The traditional Japanese staple, rice production, has been adversely affected by recent climate events and natural disasters. In response, the Tokyo government released the emergency rice reserves in an effort to stabilize the increasing prices due to the decline in production. According to reports in the national media, despite the government’s move, rice prices across the country are continuing to rise. While the government’s initiative to increase supply in the market, it is estimated that the “perception of rice scarcity and high wholesale prices” are hindering price drops. Government data indicates that the average price of a 60-kilogram sack has increased by 55% to $160 compared to two years ago.

“INSUFFICIENT STOCKS” Owner of a rice shop that has been operating for about a century, Hattori Jun, stated in an interview with the state broadcaster NHK that they have not been able to benefit from the released product and their stocks are insufficient. Hattori mentioned that complaints about the high price of rice are voiced every day, with the prices in his shop being 3.5 times higher than the average before the scarcity began. He noted that all shops are continuing to raise prices, and the variety of rice being sold has decreased. The Japanese government had previously released about 40,000 tons of emergency rice reserves in the 2011 earthquake and approximately 90,000 tons in the 2016 earthquake.