Group 1: Weather Impact on Agriculture - Japan experienced unprecedented high temperatures and low rainfall this summer, with average temperatures in June and July reaching historical highs, and over 4,565 locations recording temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius in July alone [1] - The northeastern and Hokuriku regions, major rice-producing areas, saw rainfall drop to only 13% and 8% of average levels, raising significant concerns about rice production [1][2] - Water reservoirs in these regions are critically low, with some at less than 10% capacity, leading to urgent calls for water conservation [2] Group 2: Rice Prices and Supply Concerns - The average price of rice in Japan increased to 3,625 yen for 5 kilograms as of July 27, marking the first rise in 10 weeks, attributed to a decrease in government reserve grain supply [1][3] - The estimated rice production for 2023 is projected to be 661,000 tons, 80,000 tons less than initially expected, leading to potential supply shortages and price hikes [3] - The government plans to encourage farmers to increase rice planting despite the low production levels, aiming to gain support from the agricultural sector and address consumer concerns over rising living costs [3] Group 3: Broader Agricultural Price Increases - The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries forecasts that wholesale prices for 15 major vegetables in Tokyo will rise by 10% to 30% compared to the average of the past five years due to the impact of high temperatures and reduced rainfall [4] - Pork prices remain high, matching last year's record levels, with supply issues stemming from decreased breeding rates and weight gain due to heat stress [4][5] - Experts warn that if high temperatures persist, meat prices may continue to rise in the fall, compounded by increasing feed and fuel costs for livestock producers [5]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the severe rice price surge in Japan, which has led to a situation where rice is becoming unaffordable for many citizens, highlighting the underlying issues of agricultural policy imbalance, extreme weather impacts, and increased demand due to tourism recovery [2][4][20]. Group 1: Price Surge and Public Reaction - As of April, rice prices in Japan have increased by 98.4% year-on-year, with the average price for 5 kilograms of rice reaching 4,223 yen (approximately 210 RMB) [4][19]. - Citizens are experiencing extreme measures to cope with high prices, including precise portioning of rice and even incidents of rice theft [15][16]. - The phenomenon of long queues for government-released rice indicates the desperation among consumers [11][18]. Group 2: Causes of the Rice Crisis - The rice crisis is attributed to a "rice shortage," driven by long-term agricultural policies that have restricted production and high import tariffs [7][17]. - Japan's rice planting area has decreased from over 2 million hectares at its peak to 1.344 million hectares in 2023, with total rice production dropping from approximately 12 million tons to about 7.165 million tons [17]. - The revival of Japan's tourism industry has further exacerbated the demand for rice, particularly in the restaurant sector, leading to a supply-demand imbalance [18][20]. Group 3: Government Response and Challenges - The Japanese government has released a total of 410,000 tons of emergency rice reserves since March to stabilize prices, marking the first time since 1995 that such measures have been taken [18][19]. - However, only 7% of the released rice has reached the retail market, indicating significant inefficiencies in the distribution system, primarily due to the monopolistic practices of agricultural cooperatives [19][20]. - New measures introduced by political figure Shinjiro Koizumi aim to reform the rice distribution system and stabilize prices, including a target price of 2,000 yen for 5 kilograms of rice [21][23].

Core Viewpoint - The Japanese government is investigating the sudden rise in rice prices, which have increased significantly due to factors such as extreme heat and previous natural disaster warnings, leading to consumer panic buying and long queues for government-subsidized rice [2][3]. Group 1: Price Increase and Investigation - Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio announced a thorough investigation into the reasons behind the sudden spike in rice prices [3]. - Since summer 2024, rice prices in Japan have been on the rise due to poor harvests caused by extreme heat [3]. - The consumer price index for rice showed an increase of 98.4% in April compared to the previous year, marking the highest increase since 1971 [3]. Group 2: Government Response and Consumer Behavior - The Japanese government has started selling reserve rice in limited quantities to stabilize prices, leading to long queues at supermarkets [4][5]. - In Hokkaido, a store sold out 1,000 bags of reserve rice quickly, with each 5-kilogram bag priced at 2,150 yen (approximately 107 RMB), about half the market price [5]. - The government has implemented a direct supply model for reserve rice sales, bypassing middlemen, and has mandated that retailers complete sales by the end of August [5].

Group 1 - Lawson Group announced the launch of "aged rice balls" made from rice harvested in 2023, priced lower than their regular rice balls [1][3] - The company has procured approximately two tons of aged rice and plans to offer several basic flavors at a price of around 120 yen (approximately 6 RMB) per serving [1] - The initiative has sparked controversy on social media, with users questioning the use of the term "aged rice" and expressing concerns about misleading marketing [3] Group 2 - Japan is experiencing a rice shortage, with the consumer price index for rice rising by 98.4% compared to the previous year, and the average price of a 5-kilogram bag reaching 4,268 yen (approximately 215 RMB), more than double the price from last year [3] - The influx of government reserve rice into the market has led to debates about rice quality, with concerns raised in the Japanese Diet regarding the safety and value of older stored rice [4]