Japan Ditches Historical Rice Curbs With Ishiba’s Fate at Stake

In a break from a decades-old policy, the Japanese government will encourage farmers to disregard a de facto cap on rice production and boost cultivation of the food staple, a step that could win support from the agriculture sector and soothe consumers’ frustration over soaring living costs.

“We will shift our policy to increase rice production, so that we will be capable of responding to changes in demand and supply flexibly and comprehensively,” said Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in a ministerial-level meeting Tuesday that focused on securing a stable supply of rice.