Price of rice in Japan falls below ¥4k per 5kg

Global price comparisons & rice types

• Commenters compare Japan’s ~¥4,000/5kg to:
  • US Costco long-grain at roughly ¥850/5kg equivalent.
  • UK supermarket rice ranging ~¥1,600–3,000/5kg.
  • Imported Japanese rice in Hawaii and Australia at significantly higher prices.
• Many stress that “rice” is not homogeneous:
  • Japanese rice is mostly short‑grain Japonica; US staples are often long‑grain.
  • Calrose and other US‑grown Japonica are highlighted as close substitutes for Japanese rice, including for sushi.
  • Debate over jasmine rice: some see it as a good Asian-cooking replacement; others insist it is texturally and culinarily distinct and unsuitable for sushi.

Quality, taste, and “snobbery”

• Several people report a clear taste and texture difference between:
  • Premium Japanese-grown rice vs generic Costco/US rice.
  • Japanese vs US/Australian/Korean/Vietnamese Japonica, though many say differences are subtle and partly habitual.
• Others argue US Japonica (Calrose, US-grown Koshihikari, Akitakomachi, etc.) can be restaurant-grade and is widely used.
• There is disagreement over how “sticky” rice should be and whether extra stickiness comes from variety or incorrect cooking (mushy vs properly sticky grains).

Tariffs, policy, and the Japanese market

• High Japanese rice tariffs and quota systems are repeatedly cited as key reasons imports are scarce and expensive for consumers.
• Japan is obliged to import some rice tariff‑free (e.g., for reserves, feed), but most consumer-facing imports face very high per‑kg tariffs.
• Commenters note a recent surge in imports (still a small share of consumption), suggesting some willingness to switch at current prices.
• Domestic policy (production limits, small plots, JA influence, “gen-tan” acreage reduction) is blamed for structurally high prices and limited mechanization.

Cultural importance & household impact

• Rice is described as synonymous with “meal” in Japan; many see imported rice as culturally or qualitatively inferior and won’t consider it, even under budget pressure.
• Others argue budget‑conscious households could save meaningful amounts by switching, especially as rice prices have roughly doubled year‑on‑year while wages and pensions are stagnant.
• Some point out substitution to bread, noodles, or pasta is already common (especially at breakfast), but identity and habit keep rice central.

Health & cooking (arsenic discussion)

• A linked study on arsenic reduction via parboiling and draining prompts debate:
  • Some say it’s mainly for long‑grain rice and ruins Japanese-style stickiness.
  • Others defend it as a serious, life‑saving technique applicable to various rices, though with texture trade‑offs.
• Technical questions are raised about arsenic mass balance and whether residual water after cooking affects measurements.

Food security & protectionism

• Several commenters justify rice protection as national security: domestic rice is seen as strategically non-negotiable even if other foods are heavily imported.
• Others prefer direct farm subsidies over keeping staple prices high, arguing that forcing all consumers to pay is regressive.

Politics and public anger

• The recent spike in rice prices is tied, by some, to ministerial missteps and long-running structural decisions.
• Public outrage has been fueled by revelations that officials received free rice while ordinary people faced doubled prices and stockpile releases of older rice.