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June 20, 2026
 

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RICE

The Japanese government's fiscal 2025 white paper on food, agriculture and rural areas noted that private-sector rice imports surged after retail prices of the grain in May 2025 roughly doubled from a year before.
JAPAN
May 29, 2026
Japan voices concern over rice imports in white paper
Private-sector rice imports experienced a sharp increase after retail prices roughly doubled year on year in May 2025.
Despite government efforts to lower the price of rice by tapping into the nation¡¯s emergency stockpile, the cost of Japan¡¯s staple grain remains at an all-time high.
JAPAN / Society
May 27, 2026
Rice consumption in fiscal 2025 the lowest in seven years
The drop coincided with last summer¡¯s ¡°Reiwa rice riots¡± when the staple disappeared from supermarket shelves and prices surged nationwide.
A worker cultivates rice plants at a farm in Bangkok. Rice supply is expected to fall this year due to impacts of the Iran war and an emerging El Nino weather phenomenon that is set to usher in hotter, drier conditions.
BUSINESS
May 1, 2026
From surplus to strain: Iran war and El Nino threaten global rice supply
Rice is central to global food security, and even small supply disruptions can ripple through countries, raising prices and straining household budgets.
A worker harvests rice in Vietnam's Dong Thap province on March 25.
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 11, 2026
Fuel shortages from Iran war threaten Asia¡¯s biggest food staple
Across Southeast Asia, tens of millions are struggling to find affordable crop nutrients as well as the diesel needed for operating machinery.
Government-stockpiled rice for sale at a supermarket in Tokyo last May
JAPAN
Apr 3, 2026
Rice prices in Japan drop for seventh straight week
The figure dipped below year-before levels, when prices climbed into the ?4,000 range and government stockpiles began to be released.
The governments latest revisions to the staple food law reflects lessons from severe rice shortages that began in summer 2024.
JAPAN
Apr 3, 2026
Japanese government approves bill to boost demand-based rice production
The revised law will explicitly stipulate the long-standing policy of promoting rice production that matches demand, with the aim of preventing price declines due to oversupply.
Kiyoshi Gonda (left), sixth-generation sakemaker of Gonda Shuzo in Saitama Prefecture, wants to make his sake from as many local ingredients as possible.
LIFE / Food & Drink
Mar 27, 2026
A Saitama sake brewery embraces a little-known rice variety
Gonda Shuzo in Kumagaya is banking on Sake Musashi, a local cultivar, to define the terroir of the region¡¯s sake.
"Sekihan," a dish of sticky rice with adzuki beans, is popular during festive occasions because of its red hue, a color associated with good fortune in Japan.
LIFE / Food & Drink / Washoku Essentials
Mar 20, 2026
Eat a bowl of red rice for good luck
A dish of sticky grains with adzuki beans, ¡°sekihan¡± is traditionally served to celebrate auspicious beginnings in school and work.
A bamboo steamer, leftover sushi rice and canned mackerel are all you need to whip up a fuss-free, wholesome meal.
LIFE / Food & Drink / The Recipe Box
Mar 10, 2026
Need a quick, healthy meal? Steam a bowl of sushi
Make the best use of your leftover sushi rice with ¡°seiro-mushi,¡± a bamboo basket-steaming method that has caught on with the time-pressed in Japan.
Bags of rice at a supermarket in Yokohama. Japan's staple food law stipulates that releases of government-stockpiled rice be used to cover "supply shortages due to falling production."
JAPAN
Feb 16, 2026
Rice prices remain high in Japan even after stockpile releases
The country¡¯s staple food law stipulates that releases of government-stockpiled rice be used to cover ¡°supply shortages due to falling production.¡±
A promotional event for sake held by the National Tax Agency in 2024
JAPAN / FOCUS
Feb 10, 2026
Japan moves to help sake breweries hit by surge in rice prices
The price of sake rice harvested in 2025 is about 1.5 to 2.3 times higher than the previous year.
A poster board shows candidates in the Miyazaki No. 2 district for Sunday's Lower House election in Hyuga, Miyazaki Prefecture.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Feb 5, 2026
Rice gaffe haunts ex-farm minister Eto on campaign trail
Eto is facing an uphill battle to retain his seat after resigning from the Cabinet last year over insensitive remarks about rice amid a spike in prices for the staple grain.
Masako (left) and Takeyuki Satokawa sit on a ridge by one of their rice paddies as they recall their years of farming in Higashihiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture.
JAPAN / Regional Voices: Hiroshima
Feb 2, 2026
¡®It would only burden our children¡¯: Aging farmers quit rice production
Training a successor is important, but most farmers have been too busy trying to survive instead, one member of an agricultural cooperative corporation said.
Workers harvest calrose medium grain rice in California. Japan's rice imports from the United States accounted for about 78% of total rice imports in 2025.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jan 29, 2026
Japan¡¯s private-sector rice imports jump by 95 times in 2025
Demand for foreign rice was strong despite high tariffs because of surging prices for domestically grown rice.
Farm minister Norikazu Suzuki (left) visits a rice ball shop in Paris on Thursday.
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 19, 2026
Japan¡¯s farm minister raises concerns over EU packaging rules
The Japanese government has requested the EU exempt some of its export products, such as tea leaves and mayonnaise, from the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation.
Agriculture minister Norikazu Suzuki (left) exchanges views with a French man who owns an onigiri shop (right) on Thursday in Paris.
JAPAN
Jan 16, 2026
Farm minister Suzuki visits Paris to promote rice exports
Suzuki emphasized that securing sales channels overseas will make it easier for Japanese farmers to produce rice stably.
In the week ended last Sunday, the average price of rice sold at about 1,000 supermarkets across Japan rose by ?93 from the previous week to ?4,416 per 5 kilograms, according to agriculture ministry data.
BUSINESS
Jan 10, 2026
Japan¡¯s average rice price hit new record high
In the week ended last Sunday, the average price of rice sold at about 1,000 supermarkets across Japan rose by ?93 from the previous week to ?4,416 per 5 kilograms.
Farm minister Norikazu Suzuki stresses the need to secure demand for rice first, including foreign demand, and then promote production.
JAPAN / FOCUS
Dec 28, 2025
Japan¡¯s rice policy at crossroads amid output shift and high prices
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi¡¯s policy is to keep production in line with demand, reversing her predecessor¡¯s approach.
The national federation of rice wholesalers' mutual aid cooperative associations said it has cut costs related to its rice coupons as much as possible to lower the sales price, with distribution set to being as soon as late December.
JAPAN / Society
Dec 12, 2025
Federation of rice wholesalers¡¯ associations to sell rice coupon at lower price
Costs related to the coupons were cut as much as possible in order to lower the sales price, said the federation, known as Zenbeihan.
In the week ended last Sunday, the average price of rice sold at about 1,000 supermarkets across Japan rose by ?23 from the previous week to ?4,335 per 5 kilograms.
BUSINESS
Dec 6, 2025
Average price of rice in Japan hits new record high
The average retail price of the staple grain hit a new record high for the first time in three weeks, according to agriculture ministry data.
Onitsuka Tiger pivots from Asics stripes to tap luxury market
An Onitsuka Tiger store in the Omotesando district of Tokyo. The footwear brand prepares to transform into a luxury lifestyle label distinct from Asics.
Yen hits 23-month low and Nikkei 225 breaks 71,000 for first time
The Nikkei 225 stock average broke 71,000 for the first time on Thursday while the yen remained weak.
Oncolys president reflects on long journey to world-first cancer treatment
Yasuo Urata, the president and CEO of Oncolys BioPharma, said in an interview Wednesday in Tokyo that he wants to develop treatments that improve the quality of life for patients.
Prices of chicken and eggs in Japan hit record highs
The national average price of a packet of 10 eggs stood at ?309, matching the highest level marked in March and May.
¡®Demon Slayer¡¯ musical is for fans who¡¯ve done the homework
Tanjiro Kamado is a likeable protagonist in the stage show, even though he sometimes takes a backseat to the stories of other characters in this installment.
Music Awards Japan levels up and looks ahead
Kaze Fujii received a second consecutive album of the year award for ¡°Prema,¡± his English-language debut, at the Music Awards Japan ceremony.
Cultural aspects dominate coverage as sumo enthralls Paris
<i>Yokozuna</i> Hoshoryu waves to reporters during a news conference at the Japanese Culture House of Paris on June 11.
Japan steps on the gas in unprecedented regional defense export push
Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi walks with his Indonesian counterpart, Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, as the two inspect an honor guard during a welcome ceremony in Jakarta on May 4.
As his centennial nears, Osamu Tezuka gets a global reintroduction
Seen here in an archival shot, Osamu Tezuka&#039;s influence on Japanese anime has been monumental.
Why more bears are entering urban areas
Hikers walk past a bear warning sign in the Okutama area in western Tokyo on Sunday as local authorities urge visitors to take precautions following increased reports of bear sightings in the region.

Podcast

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Longform

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By Tomoko Otake

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