Concerns over rice shortage growing in Japan

Concerns about a rice shortage are rising in Japan, with empty supermarket shelves and increased stockpiling amid a megaquake warning.

People in Japan are worried about a rice shortage. Supermarkets have empty rice shelves because demand is high. Some shoppers are buying extra rice after a warning about a possible big earthquake.

Japan is currently getting new rice into stores. The Ministry of Agriculture has asked people to stay calm and said the shortage will be fixed soon.

As new rice enters the market, the Ministry of Agriculture assures consumers that calm is key and the shortage will soon be resolved. 

At a Tokyo supermarket, one woman was shocked to see the empty rice shelves. Another woman in her 50s said it is hard to find rice, which is a basic food.

Ito-Yokado, a big supermarket chain, has limited rice sales to one item per family. A store employee said they just need to wait for new rice to arrive. In the restaurant business, a company leader mentioned that rising rice prices are increasing costs. Another company expects to spend about 100 million yen more because of this.

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In July, rice prices went up by 18% compared to last year, the largest rise in 20 years, partly because more foreign visitors are coming to Japan.

However, a farmer in Aomori said that high temperatures are helping rice grow well, and there were no problems from typhoons. A source from the agriculture ministry noted that rice is growing nicely, and they believe the shortage will improve soon.