Japan is taking the rare steps of turning to imports and releasing part of its emergency stockpile of the grain as the government struggles to meet demand.

TOKYO – Rice is a staple in Japanese culture and cuisine, so much so that the word for “meal” is synonymous with “cooked rice.” But demand for the grain is rapidly outstripping supply, causing prices to soar, and the country is now taking the rare steps of releasing rice from its emergency stockpile and turning to imports.

The shortage is affecting daily life in Japan, where rice’s myriad uses include sushi and alcohol as well as ancestral ceremonies.

Restaurants are hiking prices and no longer giving free rice refills. Bags of rice are disappearing from grocery store shelves; many stores now limit purchases to one bag per customer. Some Japanese tourists are even buying rice on their trips to other Asian countries.

Published Date: April 28, 2025