Overview

• On August 5, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced an end to the government’s de facto rice acreage-reduction policy and a shift toward expanding domestic output.
• A ministry review found that demand for staple rice rose to 7.11 million tons in 2024, exceeding supply by 320,000 tons and prompting the policy reversal.
• Agriculture Minister Shinjirō Koizumi said production increases will be based on actual demand and will focus on supporting farmers willing to expand output.
• The Agriculture Ministry is preparing its 2026 budget request to underwrite the adoption of high-yield rice varieties, boost exports and invest in smart-agriculture technology.
• Key implementation challenges include securing budget approval, finalizing request wording with party farm leaders and safeguarding farmer incomes.