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July 24, 2026
 

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RICE

Bags of rice at a supermarket in Aichi Prefecture. A bill designed to stabilize rice supply and demand has been passed by the parliament.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jul 9, 2026
Diet enacts bill to stabilize rice supply and demand
Various businesses will now have to report inventory, shipments and sales volumes in order to help improve the accuracy of forecasts.
The diffusion index for Japan¡¯s three-month rice price outlook fell 4 points to 19 in June, matching the record low set in August 2014 and staying below 50 for a ninth straight month, according to an agricultural group.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jul 7, 2026
Japan¡¯s rice prices likely to fall in coming months
An index for the outlook on rice prices over the next three months has shown stronger expectations for lower prices.
Japanese agriculture minister Norikazu Suzuki promotes Japanese rice at a supermarket near Paris on Friday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jun 20, 2026
Japan¡¯s farm minister promotes Japanese rice in France
Agriculture minister Norikazu Suzuki handed out rice balls made from Japanese rice to shoppers during a Japanese food fair.
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.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
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.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / 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 51³Ô¹ÏÍø and an emerging El Nino weather phenomenon that is set to usher in hotter, drier conditions.
BUSINESS
May 1, 2026
From surplus to strain: 51³Ô¹ÏÍø 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 51³Ô¹ÏÍø 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
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
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.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
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."
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
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
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / 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.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / 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.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / 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.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / 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.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
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.
Japan scientists identify clusters of protein believed to trigger Alzheimer¡¯s disease
A team of researchers said they found a ¡°seed¡± that accelerates the amyloid beta accumulation process in the brain, naming it ¡°Peak 1 amyloid beta,¡± as seen in a mouse's brain.
Indian brothers make manga debut in Japan
Two Indian brothers made their manga debut in Japan with "Kung Fu Kung Fool" ¡ª an action-comedy series that follows the adventures of a notorious thief and a young boy.
Japan weighs regulating Pokemon cards amid trading mania
A Pokemon event is held in Jakarta on July 11
Low-income families in Japan cut food and air conditioning during summer break
Yumiko Watanabe, the chairperson of nonprofit Kidsdoor, explains the results of a survey in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward on July 1.
Iran strikes on CIA facilities prompt questions about possible Russian role
Iranian drones are displayed in an undisclosed location in Iran, in this handout image obtained on Jan. 13, 2025.U.S. officials have acknowledged that Russia has ?provided targeting ?and other support for Iran in its drone strikes on U.S. targets in the Persian Gulf region.
The sci-fi sensibilities of electronic trio Black Boboi
Black Boboi was formed in 2018 when solo artists Julia Shortreed, Utena Kobayashi and Ermhoi came together under Kobayashi¡¯s newly founded label, Bindividual.
A perfect storm: Kaze Fujii fans flock to Fuji Rock
Okayama-born singer-songwriter Kaze Fujii has carved out a distinctive place in Japanese pop since his major-label debut in 2019.
Can Japanese comedy get laughs in English? Yoshimoto Kogyo lets the jokes rip
Wes-P has millions of followers and his viral clips made him recognizable out of Japan.
The 180-day locals: Life on Japan¡¯s digital nomad visa
Christopher Flinn works remotely from Tokyo earlier this month. Japan issued 646 digital nomad visas in 2025, but tourism officials are hoping to increase that figure in the coming years, with Japan's relatively cheap cost of living and the weak yen seen as potential draws for young professionals.
Japan reveals hint of new defense spending target in fiscal blueprint
The Self-Defense Forces' Type 16 mobile combat vehicle fires during a joint live-fire drill with U.S. Marines as part of the annual Resolute Dragon exercises in Yufu, Oita Prefecture, on June 28.

Podcast

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Kabukicho: Tokyo¡¯s ¡®stadium of desire¡¯

Longform

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Why Japan¡¯s utility poles won¡¯t be disappearing anytime soon
By Alex K.T. Martin

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