As Japan swelters, farmers turn to new heat-resistant rice varieties to boost staple crop — SkimNews
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- Hinatamaru, a heat-resistant rice strain developed after 12 years of research in Saga prefecture, completed successful real-world trials in 2024 and is now expanding nationwide — including to an annual ritual at the imperial palace in Tokyo
- Japan's agriculture ministry reported heat-tolerant rice covered a record 248,000 hectares (18% of the overall crop) last year, up sharply from just 42,000 hectares the year prior
- Saga prefecture leads Japan in adoption of heat-tolerant varieties at nearly 67% of its rice acreage, while northern regions accustomed to battling cold weather remain far behind
- Japan's government released emergency rice stockpiles for the first time during the "Reiwa rice crisis" in 2024, after record-breaking 2023 heat devastated yields and quality
- Japan's meteorological agency added a new "cruelly hot days" category for temperatures exceeding 40°C, as heat records fell for a third consecutive summer and El Niño threatens more extremes
- Greenpeace Japan warned that four of the country's iconic autumn crops, including rice and sweet potatoes, face viability risks from prolonged high temperatures, with nearly 70% of Japan's agricultural workers aged 65 or older
Why it matters: Japan's staple crop is already a climate casualty — 2023's heat triggered the first-ever emergency release of government rice stockpiles in the 2024 Reiwa rice crisis. With nearly 70% of farmers aged 65 or older, the demographic window for adopting new varieties is narrow; Saga's 67% adoption rate demonstrates a viable template that northern prefectures have yet to follow.
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