Japan is facing arice crisis . After decades of stable prices, costs have suddenly doubled, sparking panic buying and protests from farmers. Poor harvests, rising production costs, and government mismanagement have pushed the agricultural sector to the brink.

 

Small-scale farmersstruggle to survive , while tech-savvy newcomers like Nakamori Tsuyoshi are modernizing rice production with AI and automation. As Japan’s population shrinks and rural areas empty out, the future of rice farming hangs in the balance.

 

Even sushi chefs are feeling the impact, as domestic rice becomes more expensive and harder to source. For many Japanese, rice is more than food—it’s tradition, identity, and a sacred offering. But affordability is now a growing concern.