How a Rice Shortage Spurred a National Crisis in Japan
A shortage of rice in Japan — a problem that has been in the making since 2023 — has caused the price of the household staple to surge, exacerbating the country's cost of living challenges and fueling resentment among the population.
As of June, a 5-kilogram bag of rice cost on average ¥4223 ($29.15) — almost double what it did a year ago. In some cases schools have cut back on the days they serve rice for lunch. Shops and restaurants have hiked the prices of their rice dishes.
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