In the picturesque Yamagata prefecture of northern Japan, Nobuhiko Kurosawa carries on a family legacy that spans two decades by cultivating rice on fertile green fields set against mountain backdrops. However, this year presents unique challenges for Kurosawa and his the farming community due to an acute shortage of rice, a situation exacerbated by an unusually harsh heat wave in 2023. This extreme weather event, intensified by climate change, has resulted in a significant rise in rice prices, which have reportedly doubled in just one year.
The Japan Meteorological Agency has noted that 2023 was marked as the hottest year on record, a title that is anticipated to be surpassed in 2024. As Kurosawa tends to his seedlings under the blazing sun, he reflects on how the environmental conditions he faces differ markedly from those experienced by his ancestors, highlighting the growing impact of climate change on traditional farming practices.
6 Comments
Bermudez
Maybe Kurosawa should have diversified. Putting all your eggs in one basket (rice) is a bad idea.
Africa
It's heartbreaking to see the traditions pass away because of extreme weather.
Muchacho
We need to support sustainable agricultural practices and help farmers adapt. No farmer will be left behind.
ZmeeLove
This is a national issue. Food prices are crucial for the well-being of the population, so the government and every person should invest in these farmers.
Habibi
Is extreme heat really worse than the cold snaps his ancestors dealt with? Sounds like they're exaggerating.
KittyKat
Where's the evidence this is specifically climate change? Weather patterns change naturally!