- June 5, 2025
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- BELONGING JAPAN
Rice in Japan is more than just a staple food—it’s deeply tied to the country’s culture, traditions, and daily life. From breakfast to dinner, rice often finds its place on the table alongside various side dishes. However, recently, many residents—both Japanese and foreign—have started to notice a sharp rise in rice prices across the country. What’s causing this sudden spike? How is the government responding? And what should residents in Japan know to better understand the current situation?
This article breaks down the key points, including the role of rice in Japanese life, recent price trends, contributing factors, and government actions
Table of Contents
Chapter1: What Is Rice in Japan?
Rice in Japan is not just a side dish—it’s the foundation of traditional Japanese meals. For many households, rice is served at breakfast, lunch, and dinner, often alongside simple or elaborate side dishes. It’s deeply embedded in everyday life and culture.
In fact, rice is considered Japan’s staple food. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the average annual rice consumption per person in Japan is about 50 kg. This is less than half the peak of 118 kg recorded in 1962. While people are eating less rice than before, its cultural importance remains strong.
A 2022 survey conducted by Navit Co., Ltd., which polled 1,000 men and women, revealed that over 94.3% of respondents said they either liked or somewhat liked rice. This high number shows how rice continues to be cherished in daily Japanese life, even as dietary habits shift.
Japanese rice is short-grain and sticky when cooked, ideal for chopsticks and traditional dishes like sushi, onigiri (rice balls), and donburi. Over time, different regions across Japan have refined their own premium rice varieties, known as brand rice (Burando-Mai), based on local climate and soil conditions.
Some well-known examples include:
Yumepirika (ゆめぴりか) from Hokkaido – soft and sweet
Seiten no Hekireki (青天の霹靂) from Aomori – light and slightly firm
Akitakomachi (あきたこまち) from Akita – balanced sweetness and texture
Shinnosuke (新之助) from Niigata – firm and glossy
Each variety differs in sweetness, texture, and aroma. Many people in Japan enjoy discovering their favorite type by trying different brands from different prefectures. It’s common to order a specific variety online or at specialty stores.
Source: Navit Co.Ltd.
Photo and Source: NO RICE NO LIFE
Chapter2: Recent Trends of Rice in Japan
The price of rice in Japan has been climbing steadily, becoming a growing concern for households across the country.
According to the Retail Price Statistics Survey by Japan’s Statistics Bureau, the national average price for a 5 kg bag of rice was 2,168 yen in January 2024. Just one year later, in January 2025, that price had jumped to 3,828 yen. The increase didn’t stop there—by April 2025, the average price had reached 4,543 yen.
This sharp rise began accelerating around October 2024, and by early 2025, rice prices had increased for 19 consecutive months.
For the average household in Japan, which typically goes through about 5 kg of rice per month, this means rice alone now costs over 60,000 yen a year. That’s a big change from previous years—and when combined with rising costs for other essentials, it’s hitting family budgets hard.
The situation has become so noticeable that some in the media have started calling it the “Reiwa Rice Crisis” (令和の米騒動). While there’s no actual “riot,” the term reflects widespread concern and frustration over the rising cost of a food that’s so central to everyday life in Japan.
Source: Statistics Bureau of Japan
Chapter3: Causes Behind the Price Increase
As the price of rice in Japan continues to rise, a number of theories and explanations have emerged. While speculation is common, there are several well-established reasons behind this ongoing trend.
1. Government-Led Production Adjustments
For decades, Japan managed rice production through a government policy known as gentan seisaku (減反政策), or the rice production adjustment policy. Under this system, farmers were encouraged to reduce the amount of rice they grew by switching to other crops or letting fields lie fallow. In exchange, they received government subsidies.
The reason behind this policy lies in Japan’s changing eating habits. Although rice remains a staple and beloved food, the Japanese diet has diversified—especially since the post-WWII era. Many people now eat bread or cereal for breakfast, and Western-style meals have become increasingly common. As a result, rice consumption has declined significantly over the decades. As mentioned earlier, the average annual rice consumption per person has dropped by more than half since its peak in the 1960s.
To avoid an oversupply and falling prices, the government used this policy to limit production. Although the gentan policy was officially phased out in 2018, the government still plays a role in managing overall supply through various agricultural programs.
However, rice farming isn’t something that can be adjusted overnight. It takes months of planning and effort, and is heavily influenced by seasonal conditions, land use, and water management. So even if demand changes suddenly, supply can’t quickly catch up. This mismatch is one of the key factors behind recent price increases in rice in Japan.
| English | Japanese | Romaji |
|---|---|---|
|
Rice Production Adjustment Policy |
減反政策 |
Gentan Seisaku |
2. Aging Farmers and Low Productivity
Another major factor behind rising prices of rice in Japan is the declining number of rice farmers and the aging farming population.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), the number of individual rice-farming households has dropped significantly over the years. Among these individual farms, only 11.3% are operated by people under the age of 50, showing just how rapidly the farming population is aging.
Even more concerning is that nearly 70% of rice-growing operations in Japan do not have a confirmed successor. This lack of a next generation of farmers raises serious concerns about the long-term sustainability and productivity of rice production in Japan.
The overall picture remains one of declining productivity and labor shortages—especially in rural regions—making it difficult to maintain stable production levels.
3. Climate Change and Natural Disasters
Rice is not a crop that adapts well to extreme or unpredictable weather. Unfortunately, Japan has been experiencing increasingly severe climate-related events in recent years—such as record-breaking heatwaves, sudden torrential downpours, and stronger typhoons.
These weather patterns, once rare, are now affecting regions that were not previously vulnerable to natural disasters. The changing climate has led to unpredictable growing conditions and serious damage to crops. In particular, excessive heat and flooding can delay growth, reduce yields, or even destroy entire harvests.
Given how sensitive rice cultivation is to climate, the impact of these environmental changes has become a major threat to both production volume and quality. As a result, the cost of rice in Japan continues to rise as supply becomes less reliable.
Chapter 4: Government Response
If you’re living in Japan, you may have heard terms like “bichiku-mai” and “ko-mai” in the news lately. Let’s break them down.
What Is Bichiku-mai?
Bichiku-mai, or reserve rice, refers to rice stockpiled by the Japanese government as a safeguard against emergencies such as natural disasters or poor harvests caused by extreme weather. The idea is to ensure a stable supply even when domestic production falls short.
As of now, Japan keeps about 1 million tons of rice in reserve—enough to support the country through a once-in-a-decade poor harvest. This system was formalized into law in 1995, and the government continues to manage these reserves primarily in unmilled brown rice form, since it stores better than polished white rice.
| English | Japanese | Romaji |
|---|---|---|
|
Reserve Rice |
備蓄米 |
Bichiku-mai |
What Is Ko-mai?
Ko-mai refers to “old rice”—rice harvested in the previous year. In Japan, rice harvested in the current year is labeled as “shinmai” (新米, or new rice) until October 31. On November 1, it becomes ko-mai. For example, as of 2025:
Shinmai (new rice): Harvested in 2024
Ko-mai (old rice): Harvested in 2023
Koko-mai (古古米, very old rice): Harvested in 2022
Rice gradually loses moisture and freshness over time. While the government stores it in brown rice form to preserve quality, older rice is generally a bit firmer when cooked compared to freshly harvested rice.
Latest Government Action in 2025
In response to the ongoing price surge, the Japanese government took a more direct approach in early 2025 by releasing reserve rice (bichiku-mai) into the market. This rice is being sold under a government-set pricing structure and conditions, with a price cap of 2,160 yen (including tax) for 5 kilograms.
Sales began in early June 2025 at major retailers, including AEON, as well as major convenience store chains like Lawson and FamilyMart. By distributing this rice at a fixed and more affordable price, the government aims to ease the burden on everyday consumers struggling with the high cost of rice in Japan.
Summary
Rice remains an essential part of daily life in Japan, but recent price increases have affected many households. From government policies to climate challenges, several factors are behind the current situation. We hope this information helps you better understand what’s happening with rice in Japan today and supports your daily choices as you navigate life here.
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