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Over the decades, the people of Japan are gradually changing their eating habits. They consume less rice and fish, shifting towards options like bread, meat, cooking oil, and more. This adds to the government's concern about increased dependence on food imports.The self-sufficiency rate of food, measured in Calories, in this nation dropped to 37% in 2020 from 73% in 1965, the lowest among major economies. According to Toshiyuki Ito, former vice admiral of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, the government's excessive focus on economic efficiency, growth rates, and inflation, neglecting the agricultural sector, is gradually making the country more vulnerable than ever.
Impacted by the sharp increase in global cereal prices, fertilizer shortages, and fuel inflation, the depreciation of the Japanese Yen has significantly affected the citizens of this nation. According to an economics professor at the University of Tokyo, to ensure national security, Japan needs to increase rice and wheat production, as 'Without food, there can be no fight.'Reasons behind the shift in Japanese dietary patterns
Furthermore, the trend of avoiding excessive carbohydrate intake for health reasons is on the rise. The aging population also means fewer people have a hearty appetite. Many young individuals find cooking rice properly too time-consuming and often opt for alternatives like baked bread and yogurt over rice or miso soup with grilled fish.According to official figures from the Japanese government, per capita seafood consumption has dropped to below 25kg per year, compared to 40kg two decades ago. There is also a tendency to opt for imported fatty fish varieties such as tuna and salmon from Norway and Chile.Another factor contributing to the decline in self-sufficiency lies in Japan's almost complete dependence on imported grains for livestock feed. This means that most domestically raised beef is not considered self-sufficient.Decline in Rice Production
Consumption of traditional food sources, namely rice, has dwindled over the decades. While the domestic wheat production rate has halved in the past five decades, dropping to 13%, most of the wheat consumed in Japan is imported from the United States, Canada, and Australia.
Itsuo Kenmochi, a third-generation rice farmer in Niigata, reveals the struggle of making a living with farming due to rising production costs outpacing rice prices. 'I'm in this because I have rice fields. Otherwise, I would have given up.'
In reality, government officials are attempting to encourage the populace to consume more rice. The predominant rice type in Japan is the short-grain variety called Japonica, primarily grown domestically. According to calculations, if people consume a small additional amount per meal, the self-sufficiency rate in food would increase by 1%.The Japanese government is also making efforts to assist citizens by redirecting rice production from food to other needs like flour. However, the demand for rice remains low, causing rice prices in Japan to drop by over 20% in the past decade, despite a decrease in rice production.According to Bloomberg
