US EditionJapan rice crisis shows signs of easing as prices stabilize and stocks return to shelves
- Japan faced a sharp rice price surge and supply shortages through late 2024 into early 2025, causing empty supermarket shelves nationwide.
- This crisis resulted from poor 2023 harvests, higher tourist demand, and disrupted domestic production, prompting government intervention and imports.
- The government held three rice auctions in March and April 2025, selling over 312,000 tons, while imports from South Korea and California boosted supply.
- Rice prices more than doubled in May, rising 101.7%, but by mid-June, average supermarket prices fell below 4,000 yen for the first time since March.
- The rice shortage shows signs of easing due to released government stockpiles and imports, although supply recovery remains uneven across regions.
11 Articles
11 Articles
It was always available, always affordable – now Japan's national cereals are as expensive as never before. This not only changes shopping habits, it also threatens ancient traditions. A visit to the fields.
After reaching record levels and forcing government intervention, the average price of rice fell by 6.1 per cent in the second week of June
Starting on the 28th, Okinawa FamilyMart will be selling 2021 government stockpiled rice for 756 yen (tax included) for 2 kilograms at approximately 330 stores in the prefecture. 12 bags will be sold at each store on the 28th. Some stores may not carry the rice. Limited to one bag per person. Reservations cannot be made at the store. The next sale is scheduled for mid-July.
Japan rice auction 2025 starts to stabilise surge prices
TOKYO: Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has validated that around 30% of the rice auctioned from government holdings has been transported to retailers and restaurants, as part of a larger undertaking to stabilise rising rice prices across the country. Three rice auctions were conducted in March and April 2025 by the ministry, selling a total of 312,000 tons of rice. By June 8, around 159,000 tons, almost half, had been sen…
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