Japan's calorie-based food self-sufficiency rate dropped to a record low of 37% in the fiscal year ending in March, marking the first decline in five years, according to data released by the Ministry of Agriculture on Friday.
The figure fell one percentage point from the previous fiscal year's 38%, reflecting a decline in production of wheat, soybeans, and other crops due to adverse weather. This is the lowest level since the Japanese government began tracking the index in 1960.
The food self-sufficiency rate is a key indicator measuring how much of domestic food consumption is met by domestic supply. Japan has long relied heavily on food imports, particularly for items such as wheat, corn, and soybeans.
The Ministry of Agriculture has stressed the need to raise the self-sufficiency rate to ensure national food security amid global price volatility and supply chain disruptions. The government has set a target of boosting the rate to 45% by fiscal 2030, though achieving this goal faces significant challenges.
Experts suggest that to improve the rate, Japan needs measures such as supporting farmers, expanding cultivated acreage, reforming agricultural policies, and encouraging consumers to prioritize domestic products.
