Japan's food self-sufficiency ratio is 37%, below the 45% goal for 2030.

Japan's food self-sufficiency ratio has dropped to 37% for the fiscal year ending March 31, falling 1 percentage point from the previous year and lagging behind the government's 45% target for 2030. This puts Japan among the lowest in developed economies, making it vulnerable to food supply disruptions due to global tensions, like the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Despite efforts to increase domestic production of imports like wheat and soybeans, the ratio has stayed below 40% for over a decade. Countries like Australia and Canada boast ratios above 100%, while Germany is at 81% and Italy at 51%. To hit the 45% goal, Japan plans to expand farmland for wheat and soybeans, with the agriculture ministry reviewing progress soon. The road ahead is tough, as challenges like an aging workforce and changes in diet continue to impact this ratio.

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