Japan faces rice shortage from global warming and overtourism
With empty shelves, online sellers unable to meet demand and a government adopting a wait-and-see approach, Japan is facing a rice shortage. This is shocking in a country that prides itself on covering 100% of its needs in this area, despite its food self-sufficiency rate, in caloric terms, not exceeding 38% in 2023. Several chains, starting with Ito-Yokado supermarkets, have even limited rice purchases to one packet per family.
However, the authorities are trying to be reassuring. "Rice has grown well in 2024. In some places, the harvest will start a week earlier than usual, so shipments should also begin earlier," said Agriculture Minister Tetsushi Sakamoto. "We need to be patient until the new rice arrives," added Yokado.
The Japanese are increasingly anxious, especially with the powerful Typhoon Shanshan, which prompted authorities to issue the highest alert level for winds and storm surges reaching the coast of Kyushu Island (southwest) on Wednesday, August 28. The typhoon could remain over Japan until September 4, threatening rice farming.
https://japantoday.com/category/nat...avage-crops-japan-bets-on-heat-resistant-rice
https://www.lemonde.fr/en/environment/article/2024/08/29/japan-s-rice-shortage-the-result-of-global-warming-and-overtourism_6723528_114.html#:~:text=In anticipation of a 2024,could further exacerbate the situation.
