Japan is once again grappling with a rice crisis — but this time, the challenges go far beyond short-term supply disruptions. With prices more than doubling in the past year and references to the historic 1918 unrest resurfacing, the so-called “Reiwa rice crisis” is shedding light on deeper issues in agricultural policy, food security, and political decision-making. In GR Japan's latest insight, we examine how long-standing government incentives, demographic decline, and entrenched interests have contributed to the current situation — and how the debate ahead of Japan’s July upper house elections is being reshaped. From the influence of the Japan Agricultural Cooperatives (JA) to the broader implications for Japan’s economic and political future, this analysis offers timely insights into a complex and rapidly evolving issue. 

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