[herdrick]

There is no rice shortage in Japan currently, at least not in the sense of the word 'shortage' in economics. Prices are not held artificially low (they are influenced by the state in a market-friendly way through restrictions in supply), and so we see that rice is as available as ever, just at a higher price than last year.

[eriri]

Available as ever? Here at Tokyo, rice aisles are literally empty right now in stores everywhere.

[herdrick]

Oh wow! Sorry about that. Empty aisles, i.e. a true shortage, only happens due to an artificially low price -- do you know what is holding the price down in this case? Perhaps price gouging laws? Or (misguided) big chain stores' policies against big price increases?

I recommend little mom-and-pop stores. Typically they feel free to quietly charge a market-clearing price.