One big reason rice is expensive is the 700% tariff Japan has on foreign rice. Another reason is the government hoarding the rice supply so they can overcharge for it. For Japanese Government, see Yakuza. Look on your store shelves for Thai rice, American rice, Indian rice, or any other rice from major rice exporting countries. You won’t find it.
It’s protectionism and, yes, that’s part of what I meant by “shitty planning” above. There is American, Thai, Indian, and Korean rice here now. Calrose is a popular one. Same is true for butter and similar things here.
What stores are you finding foreign rice in? I need to know. I only see Japanese rice at my local supermarkets and it is around 6000 yen for 5 kilograms. 5 kilogram bags not available most of the time. I see a lot of 2 kilogram bags. Near me, I have Ozam, Alps, Seiyu, and Inageya.
I live in the rural Tohoku inaka and personally mostly get genmai from Costco (which I prefer over white rice). Online stores (Rakuten, Kakuyasu, amazon, etc.) have it. For in-person, it’s what I’ve seen people talking about and seen mentioned on the news.
One big reason rice is expensive is the 700% tariff Japan has on foreign rice. Another reason is the government hoarding the rice supply so they can overcharge for it. For Japanese Government, see Yakuza. Look on your store shelves for Thai rice, American rice, Indian rice, or any other rice from major rice exporting countries. You won’t find it.
It’s protectionism and, yes, that’s part of what I meant by “shitty planning” above. There is American, Thai, Indian, and Korean rice here now. Calrose is a popular one. Same is true for butter and similar things here.
Edit: I accidentally a word.
What stores are you finding foreign rice in? I need to know. I only see Japanese rice at my local supermarkets and it is around 6000 yen for 5 kilograms. 5 kilogram bags not available most of the time. I see a lot of 2 kilogram bags. Near me, I have Ozam, Alps, Seiyu, and Inageya.
I live in the rural Tohoku inaka and personally mostly get genmai from Costco (which I prefer over white rice). Online stores (Rakuten, Kakuyasu, amazon, etc.) have it. For in-person, it’s what I’ve seen people talking about and seen mentioned on the news.