If Rice Costs Twice as Much, I'll Just Eat Pasta: Before We Talk About Food Security, Let's Talk About Today's Grocery Bill

I stopped at a convenience store again this morning.

I looked at the shelves of onigiri, the Japanese rice balls sold everywhere.

I checked the price tags.

Then, once again, I picked up some bread instead.

I have lost count of how many days I have done this.

In the past, I would buy a salmon or tuna-mayonnaise rice ball without giving it a second thought.

These days, however, bread is cheaper than onigiri.

Even at dinner, I find myself eating pasta or udon more and more often.

The reason is simple.

Rice has become far too expensive.

I remember what it used to cost, so when I see prices that are nearly double, I cannot bring myself to put it in my basket.

“At that price, bread will do.”

I doubt I am the only person thinking this way.

Against that backdrop, I recently saw a news report about rice farmers holding a rally because rice prices had begun to fall.

Some politicians whose electoral base includes farmers were reportedly calling on the government to buy the rice and add it to the national reserve.

In other words, they wanted taxpayers to support rice prices at a high level.

The prime minister rejected the proposal.

That was hardly surprising.

At a time when so many people are struggling with the cost of living, it is difficult to imagine winning an election with the message:

“We will use your taxes to keep rice even more expensive.”

Of course, I understand the difficulties facing farmers.

Fuel and fertilizer costs have risen.

I also understand that they cannot simply be told to return to the prices of the past.

But that is a separate issue from what consumers can afford.

Politicians can give as many speeches as they like about how we should eat Japanese rice for the sake of food security.

Their speeches do not put any more money in our wallets.

If people cannot afford something, they cannot buy it.

It really is that simple.

When rice is too expensive, people buy bread.

When bread is too expensive, they eat pasta.

Consumers do not go to the supermarket to express an ideology.

They look at the price tags and decide what to buy.

I have even seen the extreme suggestion that Japan should impose a tax on wheat.

Once we go that far, we are no longer talking about a free market. We are moving toward rationing.

Food security matters.

I am not opposed to discussing it.

But surely that discussion must begin with rice being affordable enough for ordinary consumers to buy.

“It is expensive, but buy it out of patriotism.”

That is not a sustainable answer.

Today, once again, I put the onigiri back on the shelf and bought bread.

I will probably do the same tomorrow.

Many people talk about food security.

But there is only one question I really want to ask them:

Did they buy that expensive rice today with their own money?