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In Japan, the stock tendency due to natural disasters and the increase in consumption after the influx of foreign visitors caused a rice crisis in the country.
While market shelves remained empty due to insufficient stocks held by the private sector, some markets imposed sales limitations per customer.
A food crisis has emerged in Japan, where rice is consumed as a staple food. Following the 7.1 magnitude earthquake and Typhoon Shanshan that hit the country last month, it became difficult to find rice in the country as a result of the stock trend, the additional consumption brought by the tourist boom and the negative impact of production from weather conditions. While rice shelves remained empty in many markets, “Rice cannot be sold due to lack of supply” warnings were hung on the shelves. Some markets, on the other hand, restricted the sale of rice per customer.
“WE SAY NO TO CUSTOMER!”
Yakup Baran, who works in a Turkish restaurant in Ueno, one of the most touristic areas of Tokyo, said that the rice shortage negatively affected food businesses. Stating that they have difficulty in finding rice, Baran said, “The places that have stocks give 3-5 kilograms. That is not enough for us,”. For this reason, Baran noted that they have difficulty in preparing dishes containing rice in their menus and said, “We say ‘no’ to the customer.” Pointing out that rice is one of the most consumed foodstuffs in Japan, Yuka Ozawa said, “I also love to eat rice. However, it is difficult to find rice wherever I go these days. I hope the problem will be solved as soon as possible.”
LIFE WITHOUT RICE IS VERY DIFFICULT FOR JAPANESE…
Ryu Wakayama, who reminded that rice is a very important agricultural product for Japanese people, also stated that he could not find rice anywhere including supermarkets. Emphasising that this situation negatively affects people’s lives, Wakayama added, “Life without rice is very difficult for Japanese people.” Yusaku Maeda, on the other hand, indicated that the problems in rice supply stemmed from the tendency to stockpile after natural disasters such as earthquakes and typhoons.
THERE WAS A RECORD DECLINE IN STOCKS…
Rice stocks held by the private sector in Japan fell to 1.56 million tonnes in June, the lowest level since data collection began in this area in 1999. Rice demand, which decreases by an average of 100,000 tonnes every year, soared by 110,000 tonnes in the 1-year period until June 2024 compared to the previous year to 7.02 million tonnes. Among the reasons for the spike in rice demand were the increase in consumption by a record number of foreign visitors and the decrease in supply due to climatic conditions. It was commented that natural disasters hiked the tendency to stockpile too…
