So it’s not that surprising that rice prices have a role in Ishiba’s plummeting approval ratings.
Until 1995, the government controlled the amount of rice farmers produced by working closely with agricultural cooperatives.
“The quality of rice wasn’t great due to unusually high temperatures which also resulted in lower rice production.”
Growing rice is no longer profitable Rice farmers have been unable to make enough money for many years, says 59-year-old Kosuke Kasahara, whose family have been in farming for generations.
“Until three or four years ago, the government would even offer financial incentives to municipalities that agreed to reduce rice production,” he adds.
five hours before.
Oh, Mariko.
reporter for businesses.
The Japanese farm minister hoped to elicit laughter when he said that he never had to buy rice because his supporters give him “plenty” of it as gifts.
Instead, Taku Eto caused enough outrage to make him resign.
A staple food that is widely consumed, rice, is being negatively impacted by Japan’s first cost-of-living crisis in decades. There are very few imported varieties, and the price has more than doubled in the past year.
With his remarks at a local fundraiser on Sunday, Eto said he had gone “too far” and apologized. After opposition parties threatened to file a motion of no-confidence against him, he resigned.
His removal deals a new blow to the minority government of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, which was already facing declining public support.
In Japan, where shortages have previously led to political upheavals, rice can be a potent trigger. In 1918, a government was overthrown by riots over the skyrocketing price of rice.
That rice prices contribute to Ishiba’s declining approval ratings is therefore not all that surprising.
From her home in Yokohama, 31-year-old Memori Higuchi tells the BBC, “Politicians don’t go to supermarkets to do their grocery shopping so they don’t understand.”.
Ms. Higuchi has a seven-month-old child and is a first-time parent. Her postpartum recuperation has been greatly aided by eating well, and her daughter will soon begin solid food consumption.
“My husband and I might have to cut back on our rice consumption if prices continue to rise because I want her to eat healthily. “.
An expensive mistake?
Ibaraki University agricultural economist Kunio Nishikawa says it’s just a matter of supply and demand.
He thinks, however, that a government blunder caused it.
Up until 1995, the government closely collaborated with agricultural cooperatives to regulate the quantity of rice produced by farmers. Even though the law was repealed that year, the agriculture ministry still releases demand projections to help farmers prevent overproduction.
According to Prof. Nishikawa, however, they made mistakes in 2023 and 2024. He adds that the actual demand was 7.05 million tonnes, whereas their estimate was 6.8 million tonnes.
More tourists traveling to Japan and more people dining out following the pandemic increased demand for rice.
However, Prof. Nishikawa reports that actual production was even lower than the estimate, at 6.61 million tonnes.
A representative for the agriculture ministry told the BBC, “It is true that the demand for rice jumped, due to several factors – including the fact that rice was relatively affordable compared to other food items and a rise in the number of overseas visitors.”.
“Unusually high temperatures led to lower rice production and poorer rice quality. “,”.
It is no longer profitable to grow rice.
According to 59-year-old Kosuke Kasahara, whose family has been farming for generations, rice farmers have been struggling to earn enough money for a long time.
The cooperative in his neighborhood of Niigata on Japan’s west coast offered to buy it last year for 19,000 yen, he explains, even though it costs about 18,500 yen ($125.70; £94.60) to produce 60 kg of rice.
He continues, “The government would even provide financial incentives to municipalities that agreed to reduce rice production until three or four years ago.”.
The government has provided subsidies to those who choose to grow soybeans or wheat rather than rice, according to the ministry spokesperson.
Because of the declining demand for rice in Japan until last year, younger farmers have been opting to produce various varieties of rice that are used for sake, rice crackers, or livestock feed.
Shinya Tabuchi explains, “I got tired of fighting retailers or restaurants that wanted me to sell rice cheaply for many years.”.
Today, however, that has completely changed, with 60 kg of rice selling for between 40,000 and 50,000 yen.
Although consumers will not like the higher prices, many struggling farmers will finally be able to turn a profit.
However, the government tried to lower prices in March by auctioning off some of its emergency rice supplies as the public became irate over the spike.
Many nations have natural gas or crude oil strategic reserves, which are inventories of essential goods, in case of emergencies. Many governments in Asia also keep rice in reserve.
Only in the aftermath of natural disasters has Japan recently drawn from its rice reserves.
Mr. Tabuchi claims, “We felt betrayed because the government has consistently stated that it would not release its emergency rice stocks to control the price.”.
Price increases have persisted even after the government’s infrequent decision to release rice.
tackling the skyrocketing costs.
The price of rice is also skyrocketing in South East Asia, which produces nearly 30% of the world’s rice; in recent years, shortages have been caused by political, economic, and climatic factors.
However, the problem has gotten so bad in Japan that, despite preferring domestic rice, the nation has started importing it from South Korea for the first time in 25 years.
In the course of his government’s ongoing trade negotiations with Washington, PM Ishiba has also alluded to increasing imports of US rice.
Customers like Ms. Higuchi, however, claim that they are unlikely to purchase non-Japanese rice.
“We have long advocated for local production for local consumption,” she says. “There must be a way for Japanese farmers to make money and for consumers to feel secure knowing they can afford produce grown in their own country. “,”.
Farmers have different opinions about this.
“You may hear that the industry is ageing and shrinking but that is not necessarily true,” Mr. Tabuchi says, expressing his belief that the government has given the sector too much protection.
“The younger generation must be able to generate income, but many older farmers can sell rice at a discount because they have assets and pensions. It is better for the government to let unprofitable farmers fail rather than distorting the market and guaranteeing the income of all farmers. “.”.
Mr. Kasahara disagrees: “Being a part of a community is what farming is all about in rural areas like ours. Our communities will be in ruins if we allow those farmers to fail. “.
A guaranteed buying price of 32,000 to 36,000 yen per 60 kg of rice, which is less than the current price but still enables farmers to make a profit, is what he contends the government should establish.
It is also a delicate subject for politicians, especially in light of Eto’s situation.
A major national election is scheduled for this summer, so it is important to please farmers and consumers alike, particularly the elderly, who have a tendency to cast more ballots.
