The threat of a "megaquake", a series of typhoons, and a week-long national holiday have some Japanese scrambling to buy rice -- the nation's cherished staple food -- with the government warning Tuesday against panic buying.
"We could only procure half the usual amount of rice this summer and bags of rice get quickly sold out," a clerk at a branch of the popular Fresco supermarket chain told AFP in the Japanese capital.
Rice shelves in some stores emptied or stocks were rationed after a government warning this month -- since lifted -- of a possible "megaquake", as well as several typhoons and the annual Obon holiday.
Other factors include lower harvests caused by hot weather and water shortages, as well as increased demand related to record numbers of foreign tourists.
At one food store in Tokyo, a sign seen by AFP read: "In order for many customers to be able to buy, we ask you to purchase one (bag of rice) a day per family."
'No prospects'
A worker at another store in Tokyo said: "We can't purchase any rice at all, and there's no prospect of buying anytime soon".
The Fresco worker told AFP that daily stocks ran out by midday.
"Customers queue up before the store opens but piles of bags, each of which contains 10 kilograms (22 pounds), are always sold out during the morning," he said.
Farm minister Tetsushi Sakamoto appealed for calm Tuesday.
"Please be cool-headed in your purchase activity by buying only the amount of rice you need," Sakamoto said, stressing "the supply shortage situation will be gradually resolved."
Rice is deeply ingrained in Japanese culture and its harvesting has shaped the nation's landscape -- even being used as a currency in the 7th century.
With an annual consumption of seven million tons per year, it is by far the most consumed food staple in the country.
Demand has been falling for some time, however, because of a declining population and changing eating habits by many Japanese as they opt for alternatives.
The nation's stockpile in June was the lowest since 1999 when comparable data was first collected, but officials believe the inventory is sufficient.
A new harvesting season has started with 40 percent of the crop available by the end of September, a farm ministry official told AFP.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Featured Video Of The Day
Japan Lifts Megaquake Warning, Says Citizens Can Return To Normal Life Japan Set To Lift Megaquake Warning If There Is No "Major Seismic Activity" Japan Megaquake Alert Triggers Mass Hotel Cancellations, Disrupts Tourism "Collective Amnesia": President Says Many Rapes Forgotten Since Nirbhaya On Camera, Pakistani Woman's Shocking Behaviour After Deadly Accident "12 New Smart Cities, 10 Lakh New Jobs": Ashwini Vaishnaw Round-The-Clock Search For Indian Woman Who Vanished In Malaysia Sinkhole RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat's Security Upgraded, Now On Par With Amit Shah "Somehow Escaped..." Uttarakhand Woman Shares Video Of Harassment Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.