Japan Shifts Rice Policy to Match Output with Demand

Japan’s rice policy is at a crossroads as prices of the country’s staple food remain near record highs, squeezing household budgets, Jiji Press reported.

Agriculture Minister Norikazu Suzuki has firmly maintained the stance of “not committing to prices.” (Photo: Norikazu Suzuki) 

“We’ll change course and boost production,” then–Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said in August 2025, signaling a shift away from the long-standing policy of production adjustment. However, the approach was quickly reversed by his successor, Sanae Takaichi, who took office in October.

Her policy aims to keep rice production aligned with demand. Agriculture Minister Norikazu Suzuki has firmly maintained the stance of “not committing to prices.”

He emphasizes securing demand—particularly overseas demand—before expanding production. If farmers increase output without first developing export markets, “rice prices will plunge due to oversupply,” he has warned.

Japan faced a similar situation in the 1970s, when rice output exceeded demand, prompting the government to subsidize farmers to grow wheat and soybeans instead, helping stabilize rice prices.