Japan's private-sector rice imports soar 95-fold in wake of shortage

Trade

Retailers, restaurants turn to more affordable US varieties despite tariffs

20260129N Rice

Aeon began selling California-grown Calrose rice at supermarkets in 2025. (Photo by Marina Inoue)

KYOKO TAMADA

January 30, 2026 06:22 JST

TOKYO -- Rice imports by private companies in Japan skyrocketed more than 95 times to 96,834 metric tons in 2025, government data released Thursday shows, as rising prices for locally grown varieties make buying from overseas more appealing even with tariffs.

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