Group 1 - The core issue is the rice shortage in Japan, leading to a significant price increase of over 98% compared to the previous year, with prices reaching around 24 RMB per kilogram [1] - The rising rice prices have forced Japanese households to be more budget-conscious and alter their dietary habits, yet farmers are not benefiting from these price increases due to rising production costs and profit margins being squeezed by distribution channels [1][2] - The Japanese government is responding to the crisis by releasing reserve rice and increasing imports, which may alleviate short-term price pressures but could increase long-term dependency on international markets [2][3] Group 2 - The agricultural model in East Asia, including Japan, has historically been characterized by small-scale family farming, which has led to vulnerabilities in food security and reliance on external markets [4][5] - Since the mid-20th century, East Asian economies have shifted towards export-oriented manufacturing, sacrificing agricultural stability and increasing reliance on food imports [13][14] - The decline in food self-sufficiency rates in Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea has been significant, with Japan's grain self-sufficiency dropping from 88% in 1955 to below 50% by the 1980s [21][24] Group 3 - The agricultural policies in Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan have evolved to prioritize industrialization and urbanization, leading to a neglect of agricultural production and a shift towards a consumption-oriented society [12][14] - The reliance on imported food has been exacerbated by the increasing demand for meat and dairy, which requires substantial imports of feed grains [32][35] - The structural dependency on external food sources has created vulnerabilities, as seen in the recent rice crisis, highlighting the need for a reevaluation of agricultural policies in the region [42][48]