Japan Set For Bumper Rice Crop; Production Up 560,000 Tons

Sep 01, 2025 | News On Japan

TOKYO - Rice plants are generally developing on schedule ahead of the new-crop harvest, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

Using meteorological data through August 15, the ministry presented its estimate for rice yield per unit area.

By prefecture, Shizuoka is expected to surpass last year’s level, while 12 prefectures including Yamagata are forecast to be slightly above. Four prefectures, including Miyagi and Akita, are seen slightly below, and areas such as Niigata and Hokkaido are projected to be broadly in line with a year earlier.

So far, the impact of extreme heat and water shortages has been limited, and overall growth remains generally steady.

The ministry expects national rice production to increase by 560,000 tons from last year. The outlook assumes average weather conditions; if the heat persists or damage from rice stink bugs expands, the forecast could deteriorate.

Source: TBS

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