4 days ago
Rice crisis probe: agriculture ministry didn't foresee output shortage
A Japanese government investigation into the recent surge in rice prices points the finger at the agriculture ministry for misjudging demand from inbound visitors.
Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru set up a task force in June to examine the cause of shortages and skyrocketing prices.
The investigation found that the agriculture ministry assumed demand for rice would continue to fall as Japan's population dwindles.
Officials failed to take account of the possibility that booming inbound tourism or an increase in individual consumption could cause demand to rise.
The probe also found that higher temperatures caused the milled-rice yield to fall, leading to a shortage in actual output.
It went on to say that the ministry was reluctant to look into the distribution mechanism because it believed there was enough rice on the market. This resulted in a delay in releasing stockpiled rice, aggravating the crisis.
The investigation concludes that the government should change policy and take measures to increase rice production, including using abandoned farmland.
It also calls for making rice cultivation more efficient by consolidating small paddies into larger ones and using smart technology.
