Japan upgrades rice demand forecast, thanks in part to hungry tourists

Agriculture

Farm ministry was underestimating consumption of staple crop

Japan is experiencing a tourism boom that has helped lift demand for rice. (Photo by Hiromasa Matsuura)

JUN YAMAZAKI

September 13, 2025 05:41 JST

TOKYO — Japanese demand for table rice will increase by up to 380,000 metric tons for the current crop year in farm ministry estimates, partly on an influx of overseas tourists, it was learned.