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Why is Japanese rice so expensive?
As of 2025, the price of rice in Japan has exceeded 80,000 won for 10kg, which corresponds to three times the price of Korean rice. This is not merely due to rising prices; it is the result of complex factors such as supply structure issues, changes in the international agricultural environment, and consumer sentiment.
Since 2023, unusual weather patterns, reduced cultivation areas, and changes in domestic consumption have led to supply instability in the Japanese rice market, significantly increasing the food cost burden on Japanese citizens.
In this context, Korean rice is gaining attention in the Japanese market as a 'cost-effective rice', and an unusual increase in both self-imports and official exports is occurring. This reflects a newfound appreciation for the value of Korean rice among Japanese consumers.
Main causes of the rise in Japanese rice prices
The surge in Japanese rice prices is not just a temporary phenomenon. In 2023, record heat waves and droughts resulted in a significant decrease in rice production, and the proportion of high-quality grade 1 rice has fallen to 60-70%. Amid such circumstances, consumers began hoarding rice, further accelerating price increases.
Moreover, the Japanese government has been gradually reducing the area dedicated to paddy rice cultivation to prevent overproduction, leading to a severe shortage of buffer stocks.
The depreciation of the yen is also problematic, causing prices of imported agricultural materials such as fertilizers, machinery, and fuel to skyrocket, which in turn increases rice production costs. Additionally, as prices of other ingredients like bread and noodles rise, consumers are increasingly inclined to return to rice.
Ultimately, these various factors combine to drive up Japanese rice prices.
As of March 2025, the average price of 5kg of rice across supermarkets in Japan is 4,206 yen, with 10kg priced at about 8,412 yen (approximately 84,000 won). This shows a continuous increase in prices compared to the previous year.
Japan's rice import policies and their limitations
Japan imposes high tariffs to protect its domestic rice industry and only imports a limited quantity of rice through the TRQ (Tariff Rate Quota) system. Under this system, the quantity of rice that can be imported duty-free amounts to only about 100,000 tons per year. However, this volume is mostly dominated by large processing companies, making it hardly noticeable to general consumers or the retail market.
If the TRQ limit is exceeded, a tariff of 341 yen per kg is imposed, making it approximately 34,100 yen (around 340,000 won) for 10kg, effectively rendering imports challenging. While such policies may be effective in protecting domestic rice, they create a very inefficient structure for stabilizing rice prices or providing external supply substitutes.
Ultimately, Japan's rice import policies, contrary to their intended goal of protecting domestic agriculture, are adversely affecting consumers.
Korean rice, gaining attention in Japan
Recently, as rice prices in Japan have skyrocketed, the demand for importing Korean rice into Japan has noticeably increased. Brands like 'Dangkkeut Haetsal', produced in Haenam, Jeonnam, are gaining attention, and in April 2025, a shipment of 2 tons of Korean rice was officially exported to Japan, completing the customs process.
According to data from the Korean Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, to import rice into Japan, it is crucial to obtain a 'Export Phytosanitary Certificate'. The number of certificates issued has sharply increased since 2024, indicating a growing demand.
The annual issuance in 2023 was 1,310 kg, but from January to March 2024, the number of certificates issued rose to 1,855 kg. By the first quarter of 2025, the issuance had already surpassed the previous year's total.
At airports and ports, it's common to see Japanese tourists, students, and business travelers returning with multiple 10kg rice bags. Some are preparing quarantine documents to formally go through customs even beyond the duty-free allowance. This phenomenon vividly illustrates the popularity of Korean rice.
Demand expansion due to price gaps
As of March 2025, the retail price of Korean rice is approximately 55,388 won, which translates to around 27,694 won per 10kg. In contrast, the equivalent weight of rice in Japan costs about 8,412 yen, or roughly 84,000 won.
This results in a price difference of more than three times between the two countries. Even considering logistics costs and tariffs, consumers cannot help but view Korean rice as a far more economical choice.
Future outlook and policy challenges
The phenomenon of Korean rice being imported into Japan is not a simple occurrence. It indicates a structural change emerging amid global food price instability. As long as rice prices do not stabilize, personal small-scale imports or exports are likely to increase.
However, to make a significant entry into the Japanese market, several institutional barriers must be overcome. This necessitates negotiations to expand TRQ volumes, improvements to tariff agreements between Korea and Japan, as well as the discovery of local distribution networks and partners. Establishing a premium brand strategy will also be crucial.
Therefore, the government and agricultural sector should reflect this reality to formulate a medium- to long-term rice export strategy and should expand export markets to various countries where rice is a staple food, not just Japan. This could strengthen the competitiveness of Korean rice.
Conclusion
The current surge in rice prices in Japan is not just a rise in agricultural product prices; it has expanded into issues affecting food security and the overall market structure.
Within this context, the attention on Korean rice as an alternative in Japan is interpreted as an important signal opening new possibilities for Korean agriculture.
Through systematic and strategic approaches, it is hoped that Korean rice can establish itself in the Japanese market as 'high-quality rice for the price.'
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