— 由仁アリン Arin Yuni (@Arin_Yumi) July 21, 2025
For over 30 years, Japan endured stagnant wages, deflation, and sluggish growth while keeping the same party in power. Yet now, rice shortages threaten to finally break the Liberal Democratic Party’s grip. Here’s why this crisis is different.
Why Japan Accepted Stagnation
1️⃣ Gradual Decline, Not Collapse
- Wages didn’t crash but grew barely 0.3% annually
- Deflation softened the blow as prices fell too
- Older voters saw pensions remain stable
2️⃣ No Clear Target for Blame
- Economic pain was attributed to globalization, aging demographics, or corporate culture
- No single moment of crisis to pin on the LDP
3️⃣ Cultural Preference for Stability
- Japanese society historically values continuity over upheaval
- Weak opposition parties offered no credible alternative
Why Rice Changes Everything
🍚 More Than Just Food
- Empty shelves strike at cultural identity
- Prices doubled in months, not decades
- First tangible shortage in living memory
🔥 Direct Policy Failure
- The LDP’s farm subsidies and protectionism caused this
- Heatwaves exposed flaws, but the system was already broken
🗳️ United Opposition
- Farmers are turning against the LDP despite decades of support
- Urban voters who ignored stagnation won’t ignore bare shelves
The Breaking Point?
The LDP survived because economic pain was slow and impersonal. Rice is neither. If the government can’t quickly stabilize supply and prices, voters may finally demand change.
Bottom Line:
Japan tolerated invisible decline, but empty rice bowls are impossible to ignore. The LDP’s greatest test may be serving what voters truly crave: real reform.
