Group 1 - The core issue of rice shortage in Japan is intensifying, with the average price of 5 kg of rice reaching 4,223 yen (approximately 209.07 RMB), nearly doubling compared to the same period last year [1][3] - Some schools have reduced the number of days they provide rice in lunches, and restaurants have increased prices for rice-based dishes due to soaring rice prices [1][3] - The surge in rice prices has increased the cost of living for the public, leading to widespread dissatisfaction, with Japan's core inflation rate accelerating to 3.5% in April [1][3] Group 2 - The rice shortage in Japan began in 2023, primarily due to extreme heat affecting annual rice harvests, resulting in the lowest production levels in over a decade [3] - The increase in inbound tourists post-pandemic has led to a rebound in dining demand, exacerbating the tight rice supply situation [3] - A government earthquake warning in August 2024 prompted citizens to stockpile rice, causing prices to rise even though no earthquake occurred [3] - Japan's long-standing policy of protecting its domestic rice industry has made it difficult to resolve the rice shortage issue in the short term [3] - Historical context shows that in the 1970s, Japan faced a surplus of rice, leading to government purchases and stockpiling, and although a policy to curb overproduction was abolished in 2018, the government still provides subsidies to farmers adhering to rice planting quotas, limiting flexibility in the industry [3]

Group 1 - The Philippine government announced a pilot program to sell rice at 20 pesos per kilogram, significantly lower than the current market price, in response to public dissatisfaction with high food prices [3][4][6] - The implementation of the Rice Tariffication Law in 2019 led to the removal of import quotas on rice, allowing for increased imports from countries like Vietnam and Thailand, but did not benefit local farmers as intended [7][10] - The Philippines has become the world's largest rice importer in 2023, surpassing China, with a self-sufficiency rate below 80% for two consecutive years [10][11] Group 2 - The price of rice in the Philippines increased by 17.9% in September 2023, contradicting government promises to control food inflation [11] - Local farmers are facing declining purchasing prices for their rice, with the price dropping from 20 pesos to 14 pesos per kilogram, leading to significant income losses [12][14] - The Rice Tariffication Law has resulted in an estimated loss of 52 billion RMB for farmers due to decreased purchasing prices since its implementation [15] Group 3 - The Philippine government has allocated 10 billion pesos annually to improve rice competitiveness through the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund, but many provided agricultural machines are unsuitable for local conditions [20][21] - The government has also implemented measures such as seed promotion, low-interest loans, and cash subsidies to support farmers, but these efforts have not effectively addressed the underlying issues [21][39] - Climate disasters have exacerbated the challenges faced by rice farmers, with significant crop losses reported during events like the El Niño phenomenon [24][25] Group 4 - The rising rice prices have led to increased spending on rice, which constitutes nearly 10% of household budgets in the Philippines, and up to 20% for poorer families [29][30] - The government plans to reduce rice tariffs from 35% to 15% in June 2024 to stabilize prices, aiming for a target price of 29 pesos per kilogram [33] - Despite increased supply, rice prices have continued to rise, indicating complexities in the market that are not accounted for by traditional supply-demand models [35][36] Group 5 - The Rice Tariffication Law has not fulfilled its promises to consumers and farmers, leading to calls for a reevaluation of trade liberalization policies [39][41] - Activists argue for a return to supporting local agriculture and empowering farmers, emphasizing the need for sustainable practices and self-sufficiency [42][61] - Organizations like SEARICE are working to empower farmers by promoting local seed varieties and reducing dependency on commercial seeds, which could lead to more sustainable agricultural practices [44][49][50]