Recently, Japan has faced a severe "rice crisis," a problem that seems to have resurfaced in the 21st century despite expectations that it should have been resolved.
In sharp contrast to China's relative sufficiency in food security, Japan's rice crisis has drawn widespread attention.
Although China does not currently face a similar issue, it can learn from Japan's experience to prevent a similar situation in the future.
Japan's rice stockpile is 1.56 million tons. At first glance, this amount seems substantial, but for a country where rice is a staple food, this reserve is relatively small.
Japan's rice consumption far exceeds that of many Western countries. For instance, the United States has a rice stockpile close to 2 million tons, despite a lower demand for rice compared to Japan, which highlights Japan's inventory crisis.
This summer, Japan experienced a severe rice shortage. Stores almost ran out of rice, prices surged, and there were purchase limits. In fact, 80% of retail stores in Osaka faced stockouts.
According to statistics from Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, by the end of June, Japan's private rice stockpile totaled 1.56 million tons, a decrease of about 20% from the previous year, marking the lowest point since records began in 1999.
A survey by the Japan Rice Dealers Association revealed that about 85% of rice vendors reported difficulties in sourcing rice or were unable to procure it at all.
As a result, many schools were forced to reduce the rice supply in students' lunches, and the severity of this rice shortage has surpassed Japan's previous warning levels.
Despite this, Japan is reluctant to use its reserve stockpiles, as doing so could disrupt market order and further damage the rice market.
The rice crisis in Japan is not accidental but is rooted in deeper issues.
On one hand, the impact of natural disasters on rice production cannot be ignored. On the other hand, government policy failures are also significant factors.
Regarding natural disasters, global warming has intensified in recent years, and weather conditions have become extremely unstable.
Last year, Japan experienced severe heat and drought, which significantly impacted rice growth.
This summer, frequent typhoons hit Japan, affecting rice harvests. Many rice crops that should have been harvested in August missed their optimal harvesting period due to land saturation from typhoons, thereby reducing rice quality.
Additionally, Japan had issued earthquake warnings, which, although later canceled, led to panic buying among the public, further disrupting the market.
In terms of policy, the Japanese government had heavily promoted self-sufficiency in rice production, resulting in reduced rice imports and increased exports.
This policy left Japan with insufficient food reserves to cope with sudden crises during natural disasters.
In contrast, China's food security measures appear to be more robust.
Although China also faces various challenges, it ensures food security through multi-channel imports.
China not only has a high rice production but is also the world's largest rice importer.
Major source countries include Vietnam, Thailand, India, and Myanmar, with Vietnam being the largest supplier.
China's rice production has remained above 200 million tons in the past five years, a high yield sufficient to support national food security.
Therefore, although rice prices in the market may fluctuate due to various factors, extreme situations like Japan's rice crisis are almost impossible in China.
Japan's rice crisis reminds us that food security is not just about production but involves a comprehensive issue related to reserves, imports, and policies.
China has implemented various measures to ensure stable supply.
However, Japan's experience shows that even in highly developed countries, neglecting these factors can lead to severe crises.
It is hoped that Japan can learn from this crisis and adjust its policies to enhance its risk resilience.
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