By bno – Tokyo In the wake of soaring rice prices, Japanese households are feeling the pinch, with many struggling to afford this essential staple as reported by The Japan News. The root cause of these price hikes lies in a severe rice supply shortage exacerbated by a brutal summer heatwave that impacted crop quality. Consumers have also been stockpiling rice amid fears of potential disasters, further driving up demand. According to Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Yasuhiro Ozato, there is a pressing need to reassess Japan’s rice policies as the current situation poses significant …