Japan's 'Rice Scandal' Leads to Theft... Consumer Anger Over Government Lies

Rice Shortage Drives Prices Skyrocketing

In Japan, where a serious rice shortage has emerged due to heatwaves and other factors, leading to the coining of the new term 'Reiwa Rice Scandal,' freshly harvested new rice has even been stolen. Amid this situation, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries is promoting that the new rice harvest is underway and that rice supply will soon stabilize, which has fueled anger among Japanese consumers. Reiwa is the era name applied since 2019 when Emperor Naruhito ascended the throne, and the term refers to the rice scandal occurring during the Reiwa era.

According to Niigata TV and NTV (Nihon TV) on the 11th, a report was received that three bags of Koshihikari brown rice, totaling 90 kg, freshly harvested this month, were stolen in J?etsu City, Niigata Prefecture, the previous day. The theft is estimated to have occurred between the night of the 9th and 5:30 a.m. on the 10th. This is the first rice theft report received in Niigata Prefecture this year.

Sold-out rice shelf at a Japanese supermarket [Image source=Captured from X]

Recently, rice shelves in Japanese supermarkets and grocery stores have been so empty that the supply shortage is severe. Some stores have limited the purchase quantity per person.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan, as of the end of June, private rice stockpiles were 1.56 million tons, 410,000 tons less than the previous year, marking a record low. During this period, a Nankai Earthquake warning was issued, and Typhoon No. 10, Typhoon SanSan, struck the Japanese archipelago, prompting many people to purchase rice for disaster preparedness.

As the rice shortage worsened and prices soared, consumer dissatisfaction grew. The wholesale price announced by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in July recorded 15,626 yen (approximately 147,900 won) per 60 kg of rice, which is a 13% increase compared to the same month last year.

Meanwhile, the recent official stance of the Japanese government has further fueled public anger. Last month, Yoshimasa Hayashi, Chief Cabinet Secretary and government spokesperson, explained, "The overall rice supply situation is not urgent, and sufficient stockpiles have been secured," adding, "The government is carefully monitoring shipment and stock conditions and devising detailed measures."

A video showing the harvesting of new rice in Niigata Prefecture was also released on the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries' YouTube channel. In the video, a ministry staff member said, "The season of new rice has arrived. We will show you the harvesting of new rice in Niigata Prefecture," and added, "The rice harvest is progressing smoothly, so it will soon reach consumers."

In response, criticism has been mounting on social networking services (SNS). On X (formerly Twitter), reactions included, "Watching the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries' video makes me angry," and "Tell the truth. There is a rice shortage."