Japan Faces Rice Crisis Amid Supply Chain and Climate Challenges

Japan’s Ambassador to Indonesia, Masaki Yasushi, has disclosed that the current rice crisis affecting Japan is attributed to three principal factors. The foremost issue identified by Ambassador Yasushi concerns inefficiencies within the rice distribution system.

“Rice has a longstanding history in Japan. After harvest, numerous intermediaries are involved in its distribution, which often results in logistical delays and increased costs,” stated Ambassador Yasushi during a press briefing at the Japanese Embassy in Jakarta on Thursday, June 5.

The second factor involves adverse climatic conditions experienced two to three years prior. According to the ambassador, these extreme weather events caused substantial damage to rice crops, the repercussions of which continue to impact production levels.

The third factor is linked to government policies encouraging farmers to diversify crop production away from rice cultivation. “Historically, rice prices were considerably low, making it economically unviable for farmers to sustain rice farming. Consequently, the government incentivized the transition to alternative crops,” explained Ambassador Yasushi.

This policy shift prompted some farmers to cultivate vegetables or, in some cases, exit the agricultural sector entirely, thereby constraining the overall rice supply and creating structural challenges.

Ambassador Yasushi underscored the gravity of the situation, emphasizing the necessity for significant reforms in Japan’s agricultural policy. “It is imperative to secure adequate food reserves — not necessarily achieving full self-sufficiency, but at least for staple foods such as rice,” he remarked.

The Japanese government is currently reviewing and considering modifications to its agricultural strategies to effectively address the ongoing rice crisis.