Japan is experiencing a severe rice shortage due to extreme weather conditions that damaged last year’s crop. Last summer’s high temperatures and dry weather significantly reduced rice yields and lowered grain quality. As a result, Japan’s rice inventories have reached their lowest point in 25 years. The situation has been worsened by increased demand from record numbers of tourists visiting Japan, leading to empty shelves in supermarkets. Some stores have even imposed limits on how much rice customers can buy. To address this issue, the Saitama local government, located north of Tokyo, is working on a project to develop rice varieties that can withstand high temperatures. Scientists are testing a new type of rice called “emihokoro,” which is designed to handle extreme heat better and maintain good quality.

This initiative is part of a nationwide effort to create more resilient rice varieties. Researchers at Saitama’s Agricultural Technology Research Centre are working on cultivating and cross-pollinating seeds from different regions to find the best heat-resistant varieties. Despite these efforts, the rice shortage has caused prices to increase sharply. Private rice inventories in Japan were at their lowest in June 2024, according to the agriculture ministry. Prices, excluding premium brands like “koshihikari,” have risen at the highest rate in over 20 years. Even though a new crop might help alleviate the shortage by September, tight supply is expected to continue into next year. The government is concerned that climate change could further threaten rice production unless action is taken to adapt to the changing conditions.