"Last May, the Japanese Minister of Agriculture resigned after commenting that he never bought rice because his supporters gave it to him. Taku Eto's petulance wouldn't have generated so much public unrest if it weren't for the fact that rice is scarce in the country and its price has doubled in just a few months. Japan is experiencing a severe crisis with this staple grain, to the point that the government has released 500,000 tons from national reserves to curb rising costs."
"Among the main causes of this situation are climate change, fear of natural disasters, and the pressure of mass tourism. In addition to the high temperatures and heavy rains that have reduced rice production, and the stockpiling of this grain in 2024 due to the threat of an earthquake, there has been a significant increase in foreign visitors eager to eat sushi."
Japan faces a severe rice crisis after prices doubled and scarcity prompted the Agriculture Minister's resignation over a remark about not buying rice. The government released 500,000 tons from national reserves to curb rising costs. Causes include climate change, fear of natural disasters, and pressure from mass tourism. High temperatures, heavy rains and earthquake-driven stockpiling reduced rice production in 2024. Record foreign arrivals—almost 37 million visitors last year and expected to rise—have strained capacity to meet food and service demand. Similar shortages appear elsewhere: Brazil's Arabica production has fallen while demand and prices rise; Montevideo ran out of drinking water in 2023; Mexico's white corn production dwindled, prompting a 168% increase in U.S. corn imports in Q1 2025, according to GCMA.
Read at english.elpais.com
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