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The Rice Crisis in Japan
“Unpopular” Rice Reveals Japan’s Serious Problems
The rice shortage and its price spike have been dominating the news in Japan.
In this article, I analyze the causes of this crisis and consider the outlook for the future, exploring the long-term challenges that must be addressed.
Rice: More Than Just a Staple Food
Historically, rice has been at the heart of Japanese culture, not only in cuisine but in all aspects of daily life.
The Japanese language even has distinct words for rice at different stages: ine (when it’s still in the fields), kome (after it’s harvested and ready for sale), and gohan/meshi (when it’s cooked and served at the table).
This reflects rice’s deep cultural significance, a clear contrast to how the Japanese refer to meat — all beef, pork, and chicken are simply called niku (meat).
However, this deeply loved rice is now in crisis, facing both supply shocks and structural threats.
