Japan’s Prime Minister Faces Risks Due to Soaring Rice Prices Amidst Upcoming Elections | Japan

The Japanese government is facing record-low approval ratings as citizens express anger over the rising cost of rice just before crucial national elections. Despite efforts to reduce rice prices, which have had little impact, there are calls to decrease consumption tax to mitigate the cost-of-living crisis. A recent poll by the Kyodo news agency shows that consumers blame Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s administration for the increasing strain on household finances, with his cabinet’s approval ratings falling to 27.4%. The issue of rice prices, alongside concerns over the consumption tax and the impact of US-Japan tariff talks, has become a central point of contention. The Japanese government has taken the unprecedented step of tapping into its rice reserves, but this has not significantly brought down prices. Some Japanese restaurants and consumers are turning to cheaper imports, with Japan importing South Korean rice for the first time in over 25 years. Supermarket chains like Aeon plan to sell US-produced Calrose rice soon, which will be cheaper than Japanese rice.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/may/19/runaway-rice-prices-spell-danger-for-japans-prime-minister-as-elections-loom