Japan, which is already under the threat of megaquakes and typhoons, is now witnessing a rice shortage with empty shelves becoming noticeable in supermarkets and stores.
Japan witnessed empty shelves in supermarkets last week after a government warning this month — since lifted — of a possible “megaquake“, as well as several typhoons and the annual Obon holiday.
Other than this, the reason behind the lower harvests can be the hot weather and water shortages, as well as increased demand related to record numbers of foreign tourists.
“We could only procure half the usual amount of rice this summer and bags of rice get quickly sold out,” a clerk at a branch of the popular Fresco supermarket chain told AFP in the Japanese capital.
At one food store in Tokyo, a sign seen by AFP read: “In order for many customers to be able to buy, we ask you to purchase one (bag of rice) a day per family.”
But Japan is currently in a transitional period as new rice is being released into the market. The ministry of agriculture, forestry and fisheries has called on consumers to remain calm, assuring them that the shortage will be resolved in the near future.
The ministry has urged shoppers to refrain from panic buying of rice as supplies will recover soon with this year’s harvest. That comes as consumers have reported having trouble finding rice in stores amid a shortage, NHK reported.
Sakamoto Tetsushi told reporters on Tuesday, “The rice crop is growing steadily and farmers in some regions could harvest about one week earlier than usual. The shortages will be resolved gradually.”
Sakamoto also called on consumers to buy only as much as they need.
Japan witnessed empty shelves in supermarkets last week after a government warning this month — since lifted — of a possible “megaquake“, as well as several typhoons and the annual Obon holiday.
Other than this, the reason behind the lower harvests can be the hot weather and water shortages, as well as increased demand related to record numbers of foreign tourists.
“We could only procure half the usual amount of rice this summer and bags of rice get quickly sold out,” a clerk at a branch of the popular Fresco supermarket chain told AFP in the Japanese capital.
At one food store in Tokyo, a sign seen by AFP read: “In order for many customers to be able to buy, we ask you to purchase one (bag of rice) a day per family.”
But Japan is currently in a transitional period as new rice is being released into the market. The ministry of agriculture, forestry and fisheries has called on consumers to remain calm, assuring them that the shortage will be resolved in the near future.
The ministry has urged shoppers to refrain from panic buying of rice as supplies will recover soon with this year’s harvest. That comes as consumers have reported having trouble finding rice in stores amid a shortage, NHK reported.
Sakamoto Tetsushi told reporters on Tuesday, “The rice crop is growing steadily and farmers in some regions could harvest about one week earlier than usual. The shortages will be resolved gradually.”
Sakamoto also called on consumers to buy only as much as they need.
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