Japan heat wave threatens rice harvest, food price inflation

Agriculture

Vegetables selling for 10% to 30% more on year, pork at 50-year high

The earth is cracking in dried rice paddies in Niigata prefecture. (Photo courtesy of JA Echigo Joetsu)

TOKYO — A prolonged heat wave broiling Japan is beginning to impact crops and livestock, with vegetables becoming more expensive and prices for domestically produced pork hitting a 50-year high.