Rice prices in Japan hit a record high, straining household budgets

The average price of rice in Japan has reached a new record high. This is putting pressure on household budgets, leading to a drop in the price of specific rice brands for the first time in two weeks.

In response to high prices, some local governments in Tokyo are considering measures like direct cash payments or gift cards to help residents, rather than specific 'rice vouchers'. At the same time, Japan's private-sector imports of rice have surged dramatically, increasing by 95 times in 2025.