Throughout summer 2024, Japan has been grappling with a table rice shortage resulting in empty supermarket as demand outpaced production for the last three years causing stocks to deplete to their lowest levels in over 20 years. Demand for table rice also spiked in August, as consumers bought more rice than typical in preparation for natural disasters during Japan’s typhoon season and following a major earthquake warning. The Ministry of Agriculture assured the public that the arrival of the new crop will alleviate the shortage in September. On top of the 6.6 million tons of table rice produced for domestic consumption, Japan also produced 1.3 million tons of rice for other purposes such as for feed, processing and exports; however, because the majority of 1.3 million tons are produced with government subsidies, they cannot be diverted to table rice to meet increased demand.