Japan’s Rising Rice Prices Surprise Expatriates In The U.S.

Japanese expatriates in the U.S. are shocked to find that rice prices in their homeland have surged to the point where it is now cheaper to buy rice in America—even imported Japanese rice—despite historic inflation, Mainichi Japan journalist Wataru Okubo reported.

Even imported Japanese rice is slightly more affordable in the U.S.

The price hikes stem from the "rice upheaval" that hit Japan last summer, causing retail prices to soar.

“I can’t believe it. If 5 kilograms cost nearly 4,000 yen (about $27), you’d expect it to be fairly high-grade,” said a 40-year-old Japanese woman living in Maryland with her husband and four children after learning about the current rice prices in Japan.

In contrast, Japanese-style rice brands in the U.S. remain more affordable.

"Nishiki," a California-produced rice known for its sticky texture preferred by Japanese consumers, has grown in popularity among Japanese restaurants and sushi establishments.

As of late February, Nishiki was available at online Japanese food stores and Asian supermarkets for $17.99 per 15-pound (6.8-kilogram) bag—translating to roughly 2,000 yen for 5 kilograms, significantly cheaper than in Japan.

Even imported Japanese rice is slightly more affordable in the U.S.

One woman who is "especially particular about rice" purchases Koshihikari, a premium Japanese variety, for $25 (around 3,770 yen) per 5 kilograms in the U.S. Meanwhile, Japan’s Agriculture Ministry reported that the average retail price of rice in Japan from February 10–16 stood at 3,892 yen for 5 kilograms.