"Unprecedented Crisis" Rice Shortage Chaos... Then "Enough" Changed Consumers, Reasons Revealed

Rice shortage leads to 4 times more contracts than usual
"20 orders suddenly canceled"

Japan, which had been suffering from a rice supply shortage, is changing. As new-season rice (haepssal) has been released and signs of relief from the rice drought are emerging, consumers are changing their minds.

Japanese consumers, who had been suffering from a rice supply shortage, are changing their minds.
[Image source=Getty Images]

On the 2nd, ANN, affiliated with Asahi TV, reported, "Although the rice shortage that has continued since summer is gradually being resolved with the shipment of new-season rice, farmers are experiencing confusion as a large number of reservations are being canceled one after another."

A rice farmer in Tochigi Prefecture recently received contracts amounting to four times the usual volume amid the rice shortage. Due to the rice scarcity, regular subscriptions for 5kg and 10kg rice deliveries were continuously received, and the workload increased fourfold. However, with the new-season rice going on sale, an abnormal phenomenon occurred in late September. The official stated, "From September 15 to 30, about 20 cancellations occurred." Approximately 1 ton of rice from the large number of regular subscription reservations was canceled.

In fact, the ongoing rice shortage is showing signs of stabilization as new-season rice becomes available in supermarkets and other outlets. However, prices remain high. New-season rice costs over 3,000 yen (27,400 won) for 5kg. This is still higher than the previous 2,000 yen range.