Japan Taps Emergency Rice Reserves Amid Surging Prices And Supply Fears

 

Rice is deeply woven into Japanese life — eaten with nearly every meal, used in sushi, turned into sweets and sake, and even offered during religious ceremonies. It’s so essential that there are at least six different words in Japanese to describe the grain in its various forms. Even fast food chains like McDonald’s have embraced it, offering rice burger buns to cater to local tastes.

But this heavy reliance on a single staple has revealed vulnerabilities, as extreme weather and natural disasters have begun to rattle supply chains. Recently, rice prices in Japan have surged to their highest levels in years, sparking concern among both consumers and the government.

Panic Buying and Price Surges

Unpredictable weather patterns — including heatwaves, typhoons, and the looming threat of earthquakes — have led to bouts of panic-buying across Japan’s 124 million-strong population. According to government data, the price of a 60-kilogram bag of rice rose to around $160 last year — a staggering 55% increase compared to two years earlier.

In response to mounting concerns, the government announced in February that it would release 210,000 tons of rice from its emergency reserves, which represents over a fifth of the stockpile built to safeguard against such crises.

A Reserve Built on Past Disasters

Japan established its rice reserve system in 1995, following a devastating cold summer two years earlier that decimated crops and forced rice imports — a rare and deeply unpopular move at the time. Since then, the reserve has been used during national emergencies, including the 2011 earthquake and tsunami and the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake.

Countries across Asia with rice-based diets, such as India, Thailand, and Vietnam, also maintain stockpiles to buffer their populations from shortages and political fallout tied to rising food prices. China, for example, holds strategic reserves of pork — its most consumed meat — to stabilize supply and cost during crises.

First Bags Hit Store Shelves

In late February, the government put the first 150,000 tons of rice up for auction. By mid-March, the first bags began appearing on supermarket shelves, including in stores run by Trial Holdings on the southern island of Kyushu.

Taku Eto, Japan’s Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, acknowledged the high prices but urged calm. “There is sufficient rice in the system,” he said, attributing much of the issue to logistical problems rather than an actual shortage. He expressed hope that the reserve release would help stabilize prices.

Quality Concerns and Consumer Skepticism

Despite the rollout, not all consumers are eager to buy the reserve rice. In a country where rice quality is a matter of pride — with prefectures vying for the title of “best rice” — some shoppers are wary of what they perceive as "old rice."

“I do not intend to buy it because I have heard that it is old rice,” said Emi Uchibori, a 69-year-old homemaker. “I am still very particular about rice.”

Uchibori, like many others, stocked up earlier in the year in anticipation of price hikes and hopes her supplies will last until the market calms. “But it doesn’t look like it will go back to its original price,” she added.

Yuko Takiguchi, a 53-year-old part-time worker and mother, said she would only consider buying the auctioned rice if it became significantly cheaper. “I prefer rice as a staple food since it is more filling,” she said, adding that rising flour prices have also driven up the cost of bread, noodles, and pasta. “With school-age children, rice is essential for their lunch boxes.”

As prices continue to rise and demand pressures mount, Japan’s delicate balance between tradition, taste, and supply chain resilience faces a serious test — one bowl of rice at a time.