Solutions Vary - Definition of Happiness 米価格高騰の解決策？！

英語の後に日本語が続きます。

Rice prices are soaring in Japan. The average price for 5 kilograms of rice is nearly—or even more than—JPY 5,000, which is more than double the price at the same time last year.

Consumers and businesses have taken action. People have reduced their rice consumption by eating more wheat-based foods, such as bread and pasta, or have given up on buying Japanese rice altogether in favor of imported options. Comparisons between the taste of Japanese and imported rice mostly conclude there is almost no difference, helping to alter the long-standing negative perception of imported rice. Businesses are also racking their brains for solutions. One convenience store chain has doubled its production of onigiri (rice balls) without nori seaweed to avoid raising prices, though this may hurt the bottom line of seaweed producers.

Another discussion is underway regarding whether the rice price of less than JPY 3,000 per 5 kilograms proposed by Agriculture Minister Koizumi is appropriate. It is often said that rice farmers have long struggled to make enough money to provide for their families. Rice policies, including Japan's rice acreage-reduction policy—which was in place for nearly 50 years from 1970 to 2017—are now under intense scrutiny. Rice farmers are also raising their voices, especially newcomers trying to aggregate small paddy fields into larger, more efficient tracts. However, they face resistance from landowners who no longer cultivate rice. Many of these owners are reluctant to rent out their land for various reasons, preferring to keep it even if it sits unattended.

In my case, I've been increasing my daily protein intake with items like chicken, fish, cheese, and milk (including soy milk). This solution works well for me because while I like rice, I am not someone who can't go a day without eating it.

A few days ago, I was watching a news program that featured a segment on rising rice prices. A reporter at a grocery store was asking customers about their solutions to the rice shortage. One woman said she had cut back on rice purchases, while another said she hadn't, but went on to say she’d started buying imported rice for her teenage children, who ate a lot. The third interviewee was a man in his 60s or older. He said he’d been at a loss at first but had come up with a solution, proudly showing off a sushi box containing about 10 pieces of nigiri.

I couldn't see the price tag but obviously buying sushi boxes (almost every day?) should cost more than buying raw rice. But the man was smiling, looking so happy and confident and satisfied with the solution. The reporter didn't ask him for a further explanation. I don't know he's happy because he finds the solution economically satisfying or just enjoying eating sushi every day with the excuse of soaring rice prices but his big smile was so impressive and may tell something important. 

I couldn't see the price tag, but buying sushi boxes almost every day should obviously cost more than buying raw rice. Yet, the man was smiling, looking so happy, confident, and satisfied with his solution. The reporter didn't ask him for any further explanation. I don't know if he's happy because he finds the solution economically satisfying or if he is just enjoying eating sushi every day under the guise of soaring rice prices, but his big smile was so impressive and might speak volumes. Those who believe will be saved!

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米の価格高騰、治まりませんね。小泉農相が2,000円台を叫んでいますが実現するのでしょうか。

先日ニュースを見ているとやはり話題は米。レポーターがスーパーでインタビューしてました。最初の女性客は米を買うのを控え、パンやパスタでしのいでいるとのこと。次の女性は国産米ではなく輸入米を買うようになったとのこと。3人目は中年男性。最初は困ったけど今は解決したとのことで見せてくれたのが何と寿司セット。10巻ぐらい入っていたと思います。

えっ。。。毎日握りずしセット買ってたら米買うより高いでしょ！と笑ってしまったのですが、その男性とっても幸せそう。もしかしたら米の値上がりに乗じてお寿司食べるのがうれしいのかしら。いずれにしても解決策は様々。幸せも様々だと思いました。

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