The Japan rice market is experiencing a quiet but significant change, since the increase in internal prices force restaurants and supermarkets to adopt imported alternatives, especially rice with Calrose. | Photo credit: Kim Kyung-Hoon/Reuters
When a severe shortage of rice sent prices shot in Japan last year, the owner of the Tokyo Restaurant, Arata Hirano, did what he once seemed unthinkable: he changed to an American variety.
The price of Californian Calrosy rice that he buys has doubled since his first purchase last summer, but still much cheaper than local grains.
“Unless national prices fall below Calrose prices, I don’t plan to change again,” said Hirano, whose restaurant offers fish, rice, soup and sides.
His willingness to embrace foreign rice can presage a seismic change in the mentality for Japanese companies and consumers, one that could allow Tokyo Leeway Leeway relaxes some restrictions if the rice becomes a thorny top with the US president. UU.
Wholesale prices for domestic rice have increased around 70% during the past year to reach their highest levels since the current records were in 2006. The crops were reached by extreme heat, while a rise of tourism has increased to demand. The concerns that not much change this year abound.
With inflation that also increases the cost of living, companies now bets on a nation of people knowing for their palates and pride in their basic grain is open to change.
Last week, the supermarket giant began selling a mixture of US Japanese 80-20 that is approximately 10% cheaper than domestic rice after a sale of tests was a success. Matsuya fast food chain and the Colowide restaurant operator began to serve pure American rice this year. In the Seiyu supermarket chain, Taiwanese rice has been flying from the shelves since last year.
It is a strong contrast with 1993, when the Thai
Leaving aside the rare shortage, during most of the last six decades, almost all the basic rice called Japan, which is consumed in meals compared to the used rice or the ingredients in other products, has a home in the home. There is a lot of imports, while high rates, established to guarantee Japanese self -sufficiency for their most basic foods, have protected local competition farmers.
Japan limits imports of “minimum access” without basic rice tariffs to 100,000 metric tons per year, or about 1% of total consumption. The United States represented approximately 60% of that amount last fiscal year, followed by Australia, Thailand and Taiwan. Anything above that it is subject to a tax or 341 yen per kilogram.
When Trump announced tariffs on much of the world this month, he criticized Japan so he said it was a 700% tariff on rice, a reference to that tax. Japanese policy formulators described their comments on the “unfortunate” sensitive issue. They also dispute the 700%figure, saying that it is based on international prices of obsolete rice.
However, it is not clear how much, if it does, it will be discussed in the bilateral rate negotiations that began this week. Some analysts think that Trump’s Republican administration may not be focused on rice, since exports to Japan come from California, a state of democratic inclination. Nor is it clear how much Japan could be willing to give in when you open your rice market.
On a sign that could be in space for some change, an Avision panel of Testday financing proposes the expansion of basic rice imports, saying that lifting the CACD without 100,000 -tons rates could stabilize the supply.
That said, it is unlikely that the Democratic Liberal Party of Prime Minister Shigeru Ihiba risks to anger the farmers, traditionally a strong support base, before the elections of the Upper House in July.
“It is not possible to make great concessions on rice just before the elections,” said Junichi Sugawara, a senior member of Owls Consulting Group, based in Tokyo.
More imports to come
What is clear is that the supply remains a problem.
In the financial year that ended in March, imports without Stapper Rice tariffs reached the limit of 100,000 tons of Japan for the first time in seven years.
The amount of rates, although still small, also jumped, quadruples in the first 11 months of 2024 prosecutors just under 1,500 tons.
And this year, the Kanematsu rice importer is sending in its first purchase of American basic rice, 10,000 tons.
“We are receiving many consultations from the restaurant industry, convenience stores, supermarkets and rice Wholesalers,” said a Kanematsu spokesman.
In the week to April 6, the prices of Japanese supermarket rice reached an average of 4,214 yen ($ 29.65) per 5 kg, marking its 14th consecutive week of increase and more than double the same period of the previous year. That is despite a strange release of rice from the emergency reserves of the Government that began last month last month and everything continues throughout the month until July.
As for the quality and taste of imported rice, Miki Nihei, client of the Hirano restaurant, Shokudou Arata, said he had no complaints and was surprised to know that he was Japanese.
“I had no idea,” he said. “I have no qualms about eating imported rice. Prices have climbed, so I’m always looking for cheaper options.”
Posted on April 17, 2025