Learning from the 'Rice Crisis' of Reiwa: Online Lecture on Japan's Agricultural Challenges

Online Lecture on the 'Rice Crisis' of Reiwa

On March 24, 2026, from 10 AM to 12 PM, the Pal System Yamanashi Nagano Cooperative will host an insightful online lecture titled "The Rice Crisis of Reiwa: Insights into Japan's Agricultural Challenges." The lecture will feature Professor Nobuhiro Suzuki, a special appointment professor from the Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences at the University of Tokyo.

Tackling the Urgent Agricultural Issues in Japan

With around 80 participants expected, the session aims to provoke a thoughtful discussion about Japan’s food security and the future of its agriculture. Keen to address the underlying issues contributing to the recent 'Reiwa rice crisis,' Professor Suzuki will delve into the factors that led to rice shortages in Japan starting in the summer of 2024.

Highlighting the inadequacies of long-standing agricultural policies, he emphasizes that the limitations of production cutbacks and the resulting exhaustion faced by farmers are pivotal in understanding the current supply crisis. Moreover, Suzuki will address the multifaceted impact of climate change, which causes poor rice production, the overly low rice prices that threaten the livelihoods of farmers, and the increased average age of farmers nearing 70 years old.

The Dilemma of Rising Costs

The lecture promises to get to the heart of the matter – farmers are facing the dual challenge of skyrocketing fertilizer and material costs while consumers grapple with skyrocketing food prices. Professor Suzuki will propose actionable solutions like direct payments to farmers and fostering national consumption of domestic products to help resolve this dilemma. With predictions that if current trends continue, “Japan's agriculture will disappear in the next five years,” the session will include data-driven insights about how the shrinking number of farmers will affect food supply in households across the nation.

Taking Proactive Steps for Food Security

In his compelling narrative, Professor Suzuki warns that Japan may be one of the first nations to face food scarcity globally. He urges the audience to confront the core issues head-on and take immediate action to protect Japan’s rural communities and ensure food security.

The Pal System Yamanashi Nagano Cooperative remains committed to addressing challenges faced by Japanese agriculture through education and community engagement, aiming for a more sustainable system of production and consumption.

Event Details

- Date: March 24, 2026
- Time: 10 AM - 12 PM (JST)
- Format: Zoom Meeting
- Speaker: Professor Nobuhiro Suzuki
- Expected Participants: Approximately 80 individuals

Join us in this important dialogue and consider what each consumer can do to support a brighter future for Japan's agriculture. Together, we can learn and act toward sustainable agricultural practices.

For more details, visit the Pal System Yamanashi Nagano's website: Pal System Yamanashi or learn more about the broader Pal System Cooperative Federation at Pal System.