Rice imports by Japan’s private sector are rising as high prices for domestic grain drive demand for alternative supplies. The imports jumped almost 12-fold in January from a year ago.

Finance Ministry figures released on Thursday show companies imported more than 4,900 tons of milled rice in January. That compares with 414 tons in the same month a year earlier.

Rice from the US made up the largest amount at 3,443 tons, followed by Thailand with 391 tons and Vietnam with 280 tons.

Japan has two channels for importing rice. One is through a government framework known as minimum access. The other is by private firms that pay a tariff of 341 yen, or about 2 dollars, per kilogram. The agriculture ministry says even with the tariff the imported grain is cheaper than domestic rice.

Published Date: February 26, 2026