Japan's food self-sufficiency ratio declined to 37% for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026, down one percentage point from the previous year and significantly below the government's target of 45% for fiscal 2030, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries announced on Friday, August 7th.

The calorie-based ratio, which measures the share of food consumed that is produced domestically, slipped due to decreased rice consumption and increased private-sector stockpiles. This ratio has remained under 40% for over a decade despite efforts to boost domestic production of key imported crops like wheat and soybeans.

Japan's self-sufficiency rate measured by production value, however, rose by two percentage points to 66% in the last fiscal year, supported by higher domestic prices for rice and livestock products.

The ministry highlighted ongoing structural challenges in the farm sector, including an aging workforce, lack of successors, and shrinking farmland. Additionally, dietary shifts away from rice toward meat and oil-cooked foods have negatively impacted the ratio.

To meet the 45% target, Japan plans to expand farmland dedicated to wheat and soybeans, crops for which it remains heavily reliant on imports, according to Toshiaki Sasaki, planning director at the ministry's food security office. The ministry intends to review progress toward the 2030 goal later in August and consider further measures if necessary.

Comparatively, other developed countries have higher self-sufficiency ratios: Australia, Canada, France, and the U.S. exceed 100%, Germany stands at 81%, Britain at 56%, and Italy at 51%, based on 2023 data.

Japan's low ratio underscores its vulnerability to food supply disruptions amid ongoing geopolitical tensions, including the Russia-Ukraine war and conflicts in the Middle East.

Sources