No thanks to the ongoing nuclear disaster at Fukushima Daiichi, Japanese rice prices have skyrocketed.  This is because the amount of Japanese rice that is not contaminated with radiation is getting smaller every month.

That fact has caused wholesale prices for Japanese rice to rise 20% since March 2011. Traditionally Japanese grocery stores will sell only Japanese rice, but now they are turning to rice from China.

Some stores are offering free samples to get their customers to buy it. Major supermarket operator, Seiyu, says they will try a test sale this coming weekend.  If it’s successful then Chinese rice could become the main food staple of Japan!