Why Japan’s Rice Supply Strained By 43 Million Visitors A Year

Published on August 22, 2024

Reports suggest that tourists are consuming large quantities of rice in Japan, leading to a strain on the local food supply.

Rice has been a fundamental part of Japanese cuisine for centuries, ingrained in the daily lives of people across the nation. From breakfast to dinner, rice is a staple that the majority of the population relies on, with many unable to envision their meals without it. However, this summer, a sudden and alarming shortage of rice began to emerge, causing widespread concern as store shelves emptied, leaving the public anxious and searching for answers.

The situation quickly escalated as reports surfaced in the media, highlighting the severity of the shortage. Suppliers across Japan were hit hard, struggling to meet the demand. This was a drastic drop from their usual stock of 240 tonnes (529,919 pounds) at this time of year.

The ripple effects of the shortage were felt nationwide, with retailers expressing shock at the unprecedented situation. Many reported that they had never witnessed such a drastic depletion of rice stocks. By the end of June, it became clear that the national rice reserves had reached their lowest point in 25 years. In response, numerous stores began implementing strict purchase limits, restricting customers to one bag of rice per person to conserve the dwindling supply.

As the crisis deepened, the scarcity of rice became more acute, and by July, a significant number of retailers found themselves unable to offer any rice at all. The situation left many Japanese citizens grappling with the reality of a food staple suddenly becoming a rare commodity. The shortage not only highlighted the importance of rice in Japanese culture but also underscored the vulnerabilities in the supply chain that could lead to such a crisis.

The rice shortage has sparked discussions on the need for better management of food supplies and has raised concerns about the sustainability of current consumption patterns. As Japan continues to navigate this crisis, the importance of preserving and protecting its agricultural resources has never been more evident.

The situation has become so critical that the media has coined a new term to describe it — “Reiwa no Kome Soudou,” which translates to the “Reiwa Rice Riots,” with “Reiwa” referring to the current imperial era. Although the term “riots” might be an exaggeration, the rice shortage has indeed sparked panic buying and other forms of disruptive behavior. Despite efforts to manage the crisis, the low stock levels show little sign of improving.

But what exactly caused this severe rice shortage in Japan? Experts in the agricultural industry point to last summer’s extreme heat as the initial culprit. The intense temperatures led to significantly lower yields during the autumn harvest. Many farmers attribute this to the effects of global warming, although they acknowledge that climate change isn’t the only factor contributing to the crisis. The record-low yields coincided with an unprecedented surge in tourism, further complicating the situation.

Farmers and wholesalers have observed that the growing popularity of Japanese cuisine among foreign tourists has added pressure on the rice supply. The rapid increase in consumption by overseas visitors has disrupted the balance between supply and demand. This surge in tourism is notable, with more than 3 million visitors per month in the four months leading up to June, compared to 1.8 to 2 million per month during the same period last year. The significant influx of tourists has undoubtedly played a role in exacerbating the shortage.

The sharp rise in tourism, coupled with the already strained agricultural output, has created a perfect storm that has left Japan struggling to meet its domestic rice needs. The situation serves as a stark reminder of how interconnected global tourism and local food supplies can be, particularly in a country where rice is not just a food item but a cultural cornerstone.

The combination of a poor rice harvest and a surge in tourism has placed Japan in a difficult situation. The increased demand for rice, fueled by both local consumption and the influx of visitors, has led to rising prices and widespread concerns. This shortage has affected not only the livelihoods of farmers, wholesalers, and restaurant owners but also everyday consumers who rely on rice as a staple in their daily diets. However, according to Hiroyuki Kishi, a former economic and industrial bureaucrat who recently addressed the issue on a television program, the challenges with Japan’s rice supply may be more complex than they appear on the surface.

Kishi points out that the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries has been steering farmers towards cultivating livestock feed rather than rice, citing a perceived decline in demand for the grain. The decision to prioritize alternative crops over rice raises questions about the long-term stability of Japan’s rice supply, especially as the nation faces increasing demand.

Kyoto is beginning to feel the strain of its own popularity. Once the capital of Japan, the city is renowned for its cultural landmarks like the Gold and Silver Pavilions and the historic Gion geisha district. However, the overwhelming influx of tourists has started to wear on the local residents, whose traditional values are often at odds with visitor behavior. Upon arriving at the station, where Shinkansen trains slow to a crawl during rush hour, travelers find themselves in long queues for buses heading to hotels and tourist attractions. “Expect a 20-minute wait for the bus to the Golden Pavilion,” advised an elderly uniformed guide managing the incoming crowds.
The city’s transportation system is under immense pressure, as are the iconic tourist destinations. The Kiyomizu-dera temple, with its striking vermilion pagoda and expansive terrace offering a unique view of Kyoto, is no exception. Reaching the temple requires navigating through throngs of people filling the narrow, vendor-lined streets, adding to the challenges of visiting this popular site.

With 43 million annual visitors, including domestic tourists, Kyoto has become a prime example of overtourism—referred to by some as kanko kogai, meaning “tourist pollution”—in a country where the government views tourism as a crucial economic driver. “To bolster regional development, our goal is to attract 60 million foreign tourists to Japan and boost tourism spending to 15 trillion yen [€95 billion] by 2030,” declared Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during his policy speech in January. In 2023, Japan welcomed 25.1 million visitors, generating 5.3 trillion yen in revenue.

Stacks of rubbish

The rapid surge in tourism, largely driven by the yen’s current weakness, may be welcomed by economists, but it is causing significant discomfort among Japanese citizens who highly value proper public conduct. In Kyoto, this influx of visitors has brought with it a range of disruptions, including the unsightly accumulation of garbage, which is increasingly becoming a source of frustration for the local population. This once tranquil city is now grappling with the consequences of its popularity, as the pressures of overtourism begin to take a visible toll on its public spaces and the daily lives of its residents.